Study on the expressions of taste in plural languages

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24520473
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Linguistics
• Research Institution: Hiroshima City University (2015); University of the Ryukyus (2012-2014)
• Principal Investigator: MUTO Ayaka 広島市立大学, 国際学部, 准教授 (00412809)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SOWJIMA KENSAKU 東北大学, 高等教育開発推進センター, 准教授 (60347135)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 言語普遍性 / 相対性 / 生理的動機づけ / 認知的動機づけ / 環境的動機づけ / 身体性 / 味覚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study clarified the following two points.(1) On universality in the expressions of taste:The expressions of taste described by the native speakers of the five languages have variety and seem to be chaotic. However, we can classify them using the Japanese “classification table of the expressions of taste,” which is the framework of the analysis used in this study. Therefore, “the common regularity” would be accepted there in five languages.(2) On relativity in the expressions of taste:On the kind or the quantity of the expressions of taste, each language shows a different aspect. Thus, it is thought that a difference of culture is reflected in distribution of the expression of taste and the state of languages such as deflection. It is suggested from this result that the expressions of taste are supported by these motives: an environmental motive,a cognitive motive,and a physiological motive.

Free Research Field

認知言語学