A comparison of basic color terms in Mandarin and Spanish

Basic perceptual abilities are universal, and most people can distinguish between millions of distinct shades. However, languages differ in the set basic color terms (BCTs) they have. Despite numerous prior studies, exact number BCTs Mandarin (Sino-Tibetan) Spanish (Indo-European) is still debated. In Mandarin, this varies from 6 to 11, whereas there about 11 or 12 BCTs. Additionally, differences these two be expected with regard differing usage reference color, as well naming strategies used for specifying references. To clarify this, we recruited a group Mainland speakers Castilian assessed them related tasks: list task, which participants were asked write down many names could recall; color-naming name chips Munsell chart that presented randomly. Our results suggest has nine BCTs, while Furthermore, found use more modified compounds achieve precise reference, rely on monomorphemic non-basic terms. Finally, observed some colors (gray, blue, purple) less consistently; although, space partitioned similarly by languages. reinforce view universal constraints compatible subtle cross-cultural how used.