A Cognitive Linguistic Usage Perspective: What is Italian Blu, azzurro, celeste? Do English agree on BLUE semantics?

Authors

  • Jodi L. Sandford Department of Letters, University of Perugia

Keywords:

Color, lighting, visual perception, digital, design

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to ascertain contemporary Italian linguistic categorization of the macro-color concept BLUE, and compare the results to English interpretation of the same tasks. Native Italian speakers affirm that they habitually use three blue color terms: blu, azzurro, and celeste; often idealizing azzurro over blu, as being “more Italian”. I propose that according to the task results contemporary blu [blue] is the more primary and deeply entrenched basic color term (henceforth BCT); azzurro [azure - light blue] could also be a BCT, but should be considered a secondary BCT; and celeste [sky blue - pale blue] is a subordinate color term. English interpretation of the same color object/ concept associations used in this questionnaire is different due to the lack of a second English monolexemic basic BLUE color term and to the difference in culturally specific BLUE color term collocations. What are the Italian blue term semantic relations?  [...]

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Original Reference: Sandford J.L. “Blu, azzurro, celeste- What color is blue for Italian speakers compared to English speakers?”, Proceedings of the Eighth National Color Conference. Gruppo del Colore – SIOF - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Facoltà di Ingegneria, Bologna, Italy, 13-14 settembre 2012. In Colour and Colorimetry. Multidisciplinary Contributions. Vol. VIII B, M. Rossi (ed.) – Dip. Indaco – Politecnico di Milano. Maggioli Editore, pp.281-288, Santarcangelo di Romagna (RN), 2012. ISBN 88-387-6137-x. EAN 978-88-387-6137-9.

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Published

2015-10-01

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How to Cite

“A Cognitive Linguistic Usage Perspective: What is Italian Blu, azzurro, celeste? Do English agree on BLUE semantics?” (2015) Cultura e Scienza del Colore - Color Culture and Science, 4, pp. 22–30. Available at: https://jcolore.gruppodelcolore.it/ojs/index.php/CCSJ/article/view/15.04.04 (Accessed: 29 March 2024).