Squib published In:
DiachronicaVol. 40:3 (2023) ► pp.433–437
Notes / Notizen – Discussion / Diskussion
A terminological problem
Humboldt’s Universal
The term “Humboldt’s Universal”, introduced to linguistics in the 1970s, appears to be synonymous with a number of other
expressions, some of which are also used to denote different phenomena (e.g. isomorphism). In this paper, the extent of the terminological
problem is highlighted, and a plea is made for explanation of how the term is to be understood in the work of individual authors.
L’expression « universel de Humboldt », introduite en linguistique dans les années 1970, semble être synonyme de
nombreuses autres formulations, dont certaines sont également utilisées pour désigner d’autres phénomènes. Dans cet article, l’étendue du
problème terminologique est soulignée et un plaidoyer est mené pour que soient expliqués les termes en question dans le travail de chaque
auteur.
Der in den 1970er-Jahren in die Linguistik eingeführte Begriff „Humboldts Universale“ wird gerne mit einer Reihe anderer
Ausdrücke synonym verwendet, die aber teilweise auch andere Phänomene bezeichnen. In diesem Beitrag wird das Ausmaß des terminologischen
Problems aufgezeigt, indem die Verwendungsweisen des Terminus im Werk der einzelnen Autoren erklärt wird.
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