Testo e lessico, comunicazione e cultura: come parlano le parole in Cina

The research aims to shed light on the socio-cultural features of the Chinese lexicon. The lexicon is the part of a language which is most susceptible to any change in society (whether political, technological, ethical or otherwise). The lexicon functions like a tape, keeping records of every change. By looking closely into these records we can reconstruct the journey made by the speakers down their road to civilisation, and cast light on some important variables in the trajectory of human civilization. In our approach to the lexicon as a tool to investigate culture and thought, we will concentrate on the particular case of the Chinese language. On one hand we will focus our attention on the lexicon as a mirror that reflects the Chinese specific knowledge of the world and way of life, and the speakers’ changing interests, values and attitudes of mind. On the other hand, we will take into consideration the lexicon as a kernel element in intercultural communication and cross cultural interpretation, a very important key to penetrate to the core of culturally distinct societies and to acquire a broader and deeper comprehension of their modes of being and their cultural products.