---
title: "Natural Semantic Metalanguage"
type: concept
related: [Natural Semantic Metalanguage, Lexicalization Hypothesis, Semantic Primes, Reductive Paraphrase]
source: https://www.jemoka.com/posts/kbhnatural_semantic_metalanguage/
confidence: high
status: active
---

The nsm theory is a theory that&hellip;
claims that there exists a set of semantic primes and logic universal across languages which is indefinable by other words within the language which, as a corollary, resolves the epistemological problem that if all words are defined by other words in the language there will (why?) be no connection to the real world the theory of NSM rests on&hellip;
two pillars of NSM theory existence of semantic primes The existence of semantic primes is codified more formally as the strong version of the Lexicalization Hypothesis.
Issues with it: problems with semantic primes
the ability to perform the act of reductive paraphrase Issues with that: problems with reductive paraphrasing
oh cool! (Bohnemeyer 2004)
Also the fact that NSM is first found in English means that there is a certain anglo-centrism that comes with the language.
