I and Thou: Universal human concepts present as words in all human languages

This paper argues that “YOU” and “I” (“I” “THOU”) are fundamental elements of human thought, present as distinct words (or signs) in all languages. I first developed this thesis my 1976 article “In defense YOU ME” (and before that, introduced it 1972 book Semantic Primitives; cf. also 2021 “‘Semantic Primitives’, fifty years later”). Since then, has been confirmed by wide-ranging cross-linguistic investigations conducted the Natural Metalanguage (NSM) framework. But neither truth nor its importance have become widely recognised linguistics or anthropology. Influential scholars both these fields continue to undermine notion unity humankind put total emphasis, instead, on diversity languages cultures. As last show, however, despite phenomenal a shared “alphabet thoughts” was not just figment Leibniz’s imagination but fitting metaphor for something real immeasurably important. aims two twin cornerstones reality. To quote entry “Psychic humankind” Encyclopedia Anthropology, “Ineluctably, idea [of deep psychological humankind] ethical significance. For attempting inform humans about what they common is neutral act” (Prono 2006). seeks demonstrate Martin Buber compellingly affirmed century ago), “THOU” an ineluctable part who we are: how think, speak relate others.