Monika Christine Rohmer

The sea as a challenge for ecolinguistic research : proposing a comparative cognitive framework to unravel differences in conceptualisation

Introduction

The sea as a challenge for ecolinguistic research : proposing a comparative cognitive framework to unravel differences in conceptualisation. Unravel language-bound conceptualizations of the sea & beach. This ecolinguistic study compares French & Wolof speakers using a cognitive framework, revealing cultural perceptions.

Abstract

By a contrastive and comparative research between French and Wolof in Senegal, this paper interrogates in how far the conceptualisation of the environment is language-bound. This paper synthesises the psycholinguistic method Attribute Listing Task (ALT) with picture description, to create a comparative cognitive linguistic framework. In explaining the results of the mixed-methods approach, the paper draws on an awareness of cultural codes, which is in line with studies in anthropological linguistics. Such an interdisciplinary approach broadens the methodological framework of ecolinguistics to study fluid aspects of the environment as the sea. The study illustrates that while the conceptualisation of 'sea' largely corresponds between French and Wolof speakers, the conceptualisations of 'beach' significantly diverge. The Wolof term for 'beach', tefes, evokes words semantically related to fishing and has relevance as the entrance point to the sea. The terms associated with 'beach', plage, by French speakers point to the domains of sports, entertainment, and tourism. In describing photographs, French speakers, especially tourists, centrally utter their concern for plastic waste, while Wolof speakers point to an island in the background.

Review

This paper tackles a fundamental question in ecolinguistics: the extent to which environmental conceptualisation is language-bound. By focusing on the challenging and fluid domain of the sea and its associated features, the authors propose a novel and ambitious comparative cognitive framework. The integration of the Attribute Listing Task (ALT) with picture description, framed within a mixed-methods approach, represents a significant methodological contribution. This interdisciplinary synthesis, drawing on insights from psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics, and anthropological linguistics, promises to broaden the scope and analytical tools available for studying intricate human-environment relationships across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts, particularly in under-researched areas like Senegal. The study's findings offer compelling evidence for both convergence and divergence in environmental conceptualisation between French and Wolof speakers. While the 'sea' itself appears to be largely conceptualised similarly, the granular examination of 'beach' reveals fascinating cultural and linguistic specificities. The contrasting associations of Wolof 'tefes' with fishing and the sea's entry point, versus French 'plage' with leisure, sport, and tourism, vividly illustrate how cultural practices and economic activities shape semantic domains. Furthermore, the qualitative observations from picture description regarding concerns for plastic waste among French speakers (especially tourists) versus an island focus by Wolof speakers provide intriguing insights into differing environmental priorities and perspectives, highlighting the situated nature of environmental perception. This paper makes a valuable contribution to ecolinguistics by demonstrating the utility of a comparative cognitive linguistic framework for exploring complex environmental concepts. Its interdisciplinary approach is commendable and sets a strong precedent for future research in cross-cultural conceptualisation. While the abstract strongly indicates the findings, a more elaborate discussion in the full paper of the theoretical implications of these specific divergences for the broader debate on linguistic relativity would further enhance its scholarly weight. Overall, this work successfully highlights the intricate interplay between language, culture, and environment, opening promising avenues for further exploration in the field.

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