Deklinationism

Deklinationism is a linguistic theory that posits the existence of a universal set of semantic primes, or basic meanings, that are innate to the human mind. These semantic primes are believed to be the building blocks of all human languages and thought. The theory was first proposed by the linguist Leonard Bloomfield in the 1930s and has since been developed and refined by various scholars.

According to deklinationism, the semantic primes are a limited number of concepts that are universally present in all languages. These concepts are thought to be innate to the human mind and are not acquired through language learning. The theory suggests that these semantic primes are the basis for all human language and thought, and that they are the foundation upon which more complex meanings are built.

Deklinationism has been criticized for its lack of empirical evidence and its reliance on a small number of semantic primes. Critics argue that the theory is too simplistic and does not account for the diversity of human languages and thought. However, proponents of the theory argue that it provides a useful framework for understanding the nature of language and thought.

Despite its criticisms, deklinationism remains an influential theory in the field of linguistics. It has inspired numerous studies on the nature of language and thought, and it continues to be a topic of debate and discussion among linguists and other scholars.