Expressing emotions in English and Russian

Seminar Paper , 2009 , 15 Pages , Grade: 2+

English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics

1. Introduction

There is no better way to explore different cultures than through analysing the languages spoken by members of ethnical communities. Indeed, the best evidence for differences and similarities between people, as bearers and products of cultures, comes from languages. Besides body language and facial mimics, speech is essential for expression of thoughts or feelings and emotions for every human being. However, the way of expressing emotions differs from culture to culture and from continent to continent according to the indigenous values and norms of the persons concerned.
Anna Wierzbicka together with Cliff Goddard and their colleagues did linguistic research on many European and exotic languages, comparing them in order to find differences and similarities. They gained many interesting insights about the language as an “indicator” of culture, as it necessarily reflects on it. The Russians and the Anglo seem to be very different from each other as to expression of emotions due to their general attitude to having them and above all, to expressing them.
In order to provide an objective analysis for all languages which can be understood by everybody, a Natural Semantic Metalanguage based on semantic primitives, has been developed. This new mean allowed to produce cultural scripts and to develop “models of a person”, representing the culture-specific norms and values.
Further, in this work, the Natural Semantic Metalanguage and the Russian and Anglo models of a person are explained in greater detail. Finally, it concentrates on the linguistic evidence pertaining to expression of emotions in English and Russian.

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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Main Part
  • Natural Semantic Metalanguage
  • Model of a person: Anglo vs. Russian
  • The centrality of emotions in Russian
    • Joy
    • Sadness
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the cultural differences in expressing emotions in English and Russian languages through the lens of Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM). It aims to provide a comparative analysis of how these two languages reflect distinct cultural norms and values related to emotions.

• Cultural differences in the expression of emotions
• The concept of Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM)
• Models of a person in Anglo and Russian cultures
• Linguistic evidence for emotional expressions in English and Russian
• The role of culture in shaping linguistic practices

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of cultural differences in emotional expression, highlighting the importance of language as a window into cultural values. It emphasizes the work of Anna Wierzbicka and her colleagues in studying language as an indicator of culture. The chapter also introduces the concept of Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) as a tool for analyzing cultural differences in linguistic expressions.
• Main Part: This chapter delves deeper into the key concepts of NSM. It explores the concept of ethnopragmatics, highlighting its focus on understanding language from a culture-internal perspective. The chapter introduces NSM as a solution to the challenges of understanding cultural differences in language, emphasizing its reliance on semantic primes. It provides a brief overview of the semantic primes and their significance in analyzing linguistic data.
• Natural Semantic Metalanguage: This section focuses on the theory and methodology of NSM. It describes the core principles of NSM, including the concept of semantic primes and their universal nature. The chapter also discusses the role of NSM in understanding cultural differences in linguistic expressions, emphasizing its ability to capture indigenous values and beliefs.
• Model of a person: Anglo vs. Russian: This section explores the contrasting models of a person in Anglo and Russian cultures. It highlights the different ways in which these two cultures perceive and express emotions, drawing on examples from Wierzbicka's work. It suggests that these differences stem from underlying cultural norms and values.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This work focuses on the key terms and concepts related to cultural differences in emotional expression, Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM), ethnopragmatics, models of a person, Anglo and Russian cultures, semantic primes, and cross-cultural linguistics.

• College: University of Cologne
• Grade: 2+
• Author: Lilian Bayer (Author)
• Publication Year: 2009
• Pages: 15
• Catalog Number: V140346
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640505654
• ISBN (Book): 9783640861286
• Language: English
• Tags: English Philology, Linguistics, Semantics, Emotions, Comparison of English and Russian, Semantic Metalanguage, Language as a mirror of culture and society