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Spatial communication systems across languages reflect universal action constraints

Author

Listed:
  • Kenny R. Coventry

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Harmen B. Gudde

    (University of East Anglia
    Utrecht University
    Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg)

  • Holger Diessel

    (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena)

  • Jacqueline Collier

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Pedro Guijarro-Fuentes

    (University of the Balearic Islands)

  • Mila Vulchanova

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Valentin Vulchanov

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Emanuela Todisco

    (University of the Balearic Islands
    University of Seville)

  • Maria Reile

    (University of Tartu)

  • Merlijn Breunesse

    (Leiden University)

  • Helen Plado

    (University of Tartu
    Võro Institute)

  • Juergen Bohnemeyer

    (University at Buffalo)

  • Raed Bsili

    (Danieli Telerobot Srl
    Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT))

  • Michela Caldano

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Rositsa Dekova

    (Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv)

  • Katharine Donelson

    (University of Nevada)

  • Diana Forker

    (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena)

  • Yesol Park

    (ETH Zürich)

  • Lekhnath Sharma Pathak

    (Tribhuvan University
    University of Hyderabad)

  • David Peeters

    (Tilburg University
    Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics)

  • Gabriella Pizzuto

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Baris Serhan

    (University of Manchester)

  • Linda Apse

    (University of Latvia)

  • Florian Hesse

    (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena)

  • Linh Hoang

    (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena)

  • Phuong Hoang

    (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena)

  • Yoko Igari

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Keerthana Kapiley

    (University of Hyderabad)

  • Tamar Haupt-Khutsishvili

    (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena)

  • Sara Kolding

    (Aarhus University)

  • Katri Priiki

    (University of Turku)

  • Ieva Mačiukaitytė

    (Vilnius University)

  • Vaisnavi Mohite

    (University of Hyderabad)

  • Tiina Nahkola

    (University of Tartu)

  • Sum Yi Tsoi

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Stefan Williams

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Shunei Yasuda

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Angelo Cangelosi

    (University of Manchester)

  • Jon Andoni Duñabeitia

    (Universidad Antonio de Nebrija
    Arctic University of Norway)

  • Ramesh Kumar Mishra

    (University of Hyderabad)

  • Roberta Rocca

    (Aarhus University
    Aarhus University)

  • Jurģis Šķilters

    (University of Latvia)

  • Mikkel Wallentin

    (Aarhus University
    Aarhus University
    Aarhus University Hospital)

  • Eglė Žilinskaitė-Šinkūnienė

    (Vilnius University)

  • Ozlem Durmaz Incel

    (Bogazici University)

Abstract

The extent to which languages share properties reflecting the non-linguistic constraints of the speakers who speak them is key to the debate regarding the relationship between language and cognition. A critical case is spatial communication, where it has been argued that semantic universals should exist, if anywhere. Here, using an experimental paradigm able to separate variation within a language from variation between languages, we tested the use of spatial demonstratives—the most fundamental and frequent spatial terms across languages. In n = 874 speakers across 29 languages, we show that speakers of all tested languages use spatial demonstratives as a function of being able to reach or act on an object being referred to. In some languages, the position of the addressee is also relevant in selecting between demonstrative forms. Commonalities and differences across languages in spatial communication can be understood in terms of universal constraints on action shaping spatial language and cognition.

Suggested Citation

  • Kenny R. Coventry & Harmen B. Gudde & Holger Diessel & Jacqueline Collier & Pedro Guijarro-Fuentes & Mila Vulchanova & Valentin Vulchanov & Emanuela Todisco & Maria Reile & Merlijn Breunesse & Helen P, 2023. "Spatial communication systems across languages reflect universal action constraints," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 7(12), pages 2099-2110, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:7:y:2023:i:12:d:10.1038_s41562-023-01697-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01697-4
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