[Lexicog] Words that are absent in particular languages

[Benjamin Barrett]

English lacks a good word for the Japanese hansei, which means to reflect on
the things one has done wrong. To feel remorse seems more a state of guilt
or at least emotion, rather than an serious consideration of the facts at
hand. My experience has been that Americans are, indeed, reluctant to do
this, so this lexical lack seems to be a reflection of the culture.
 
Benjamin Barrett
Baking the World a Better Place
www.hiroki.us

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From: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
[mailto:lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of David williams
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 1:20 PM
To: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Lexicog] Words that are absent in particular languages



You're  quite right Mike, I was looking more for omissions which might
reflect upon the culture or heritage or values of societies. For example if
there were a language which had no counterpart for evil or good or truth or
lust. I remember years ago reading of tribes which saw deceit as a virtue,
although this might well have been apocryphal.

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