Re: NATLANG: Colours

Trebor wrote:

<< I read that a language in Papua New Guinea violates language universals by
using a different colour system than other languages. Does anyone have any
information on this?>>

What do you mean by "different"?   If it's that it has less than 11 color
terms, that's pretty uncontroversial.   However, I seem to remember hearing
something about a color system where every single term was derived...   Or maybe it
was that there was a basic term for "pink", but not for "red".   Something
like that.   And it had to do with the fact that a particular animal or plant
produced pink die that was used almost as currency, or something, and was so
essential to the existence of the inhabitants that "pink" became a basic term,
whereas "red" and the others were clearly non-basic.   These are vague wisps of
memories I believe I have.

-David
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"sunly eleSkarez ygralleryf ydZZixelje je ox2mejze."
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