Journal of Universal Language

About Journal of Universal Language

The Journal of Universal Language is an international research journal and it is published by the Language Research Institute at Sejong University biannually. The goal of the Journal of Universal Language is to foster, present, and disseminate interdisciplinary research concentrating on universal languages. Language barriers have long played a major role in social and political conflicts around the world, and we believe that the development of a universal language is the key to easing tensions. We welcome theoretical and empirical papers that explore various dimensions of natural languages and the need for a universal language. In this regard, the JUL is multidisciplinary in nature and invite scholars from different fields, including but not limited to general, applied, and interdisciplinary linguistics, language policy, terminology, artificial languages, philosophy, sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, law, politics, religion, translation, economics, and business.
About Language Research Institute, Sejong University

The Language Research Institute at Sejong University was founded for theoretical and practical research on various modes of language usage as well as to provide a forum for discussions on the nature of language. The institute is particularly interested in the development of a universal language and its related fields. The institute also offers an opportunity for the exchange of ideas between researchers of various view points by holding seminars on language-related areas including general linguistics, artificial languages, and universality in language.
Article

Sep 30, 2023

Some Pragmatic Points of Description of Conducive Questioning in Courtroom Interrogation

Oluwasola Abiodun Aina, Anthony Elisha Anowu

Journal of Universal Language 2023;24(2):1-30.
https://doi.org/10.22425/jul.2023.24.2.1

Courtroom examination holds out much of the drama that characterises the adversarial justice system. In such communicative encounters, attorneys or counsel has the singular task of asking various questions related to the fact about a legal case; witnesses, on the other hand, are institutionally compelled to provide answers to the questions. One of the means by which counsel control the responses of witnesses and get desired answers is what is tagged ‘conducive questioning’. This paper investigates how counsel use conducive questioning to se...
Article

Sep 30, 2023

Numeral Systems of the West Rift Southern Cushitic Languages

Chrispina Alphonce

Journal of Universal Language 2023;24(2):31-69.
https://doi.org/10.22425/jul.2023.24.2.31

This paper investigates numeral systems of the West Rift Southern Cushitic languages—Iraqw, Gorwaa, Alagwa, and Burunge. It provides a detailed description of the properties of numerals, the knowledge, current use and status of the indigenous numeral systems. For descriptive analysis, the study banks on the data collected through elicitation, observations, and documentary review. Morphologically, the un-derived numerals are monolexeme with some phonological changes from the proto form of the Southern Cushitic. The derived numerals are formed ...
Article

Sep 30, 2023

Linguistic Diversity and Justice: The Role of Artificial Languages in Multilingual Societies

Silo Chin

Journal of Universal Language 2023;24(2):71-89.
https://doi.org/10.22425/jul.2023.24.2.71

In a globalized society, effective communication across linguistic boundaries is essential. This paper explores the advantages and challenges of multilingualism, emphasizing its role in shaping societies and relationships. It contrasts the use of dominant natural languages with the development of artificial languages like Esperanto and Unish, highlighting their potential in promoting linguistic equality and neutrality. While acknowledging their limitations, these artificial languages offer promising avenues for more equitable and inclusive mult...
Article

Sep 30, 2023

The “Universal” Rebus Principle and Phonosemantic Compounding

John Kausch

Journal of Universal Language 2023;24(2):91-113.
https://doi.org/10.22425/jul.2023.24.2.91

The general public views hieroglyphs as “picture-writing”. Why does this view persist after Champollion showed that the key to reading hieroglyphs is phonetic? This article argues that this misinterpretation is a historical remnant of the transmission and reception of a single text, the Hieroglyphica of Horapollo. The content of Hieroglyphica is reinterpreted as a conflation of the rebus principle with Egyptian ideas of sound symbolism. The reception of this text in the late Renaissance cre...

CURRENT ISSUE: Sep 2023, Vol. 24 , No. 2

Article Some Pragmatic Points of Description of Conducive Questioning in Courtroom Interrogation Oluwasola Abiodun Aina, Anthony Elisha Anowu Journal of Universal Language 2023;24(2):1-30. https://doi.org/10.22425/jul.2023.24.2.1 HTML PDF PubReader	Article Numeral Systems of the West Rift Southern Cushitic Languages Chrispina Alphonce Journal of Universal Language 2023;24(2):31-69. https://doi.org/10.22425/jul.2023.24.2.31 HTML PDF PubReader
Article Linguistic Diversity and Justice: The Role of Artificial Languages in Multilingual Societies Silo Chin Journal of Universal Language 2023;24(2):71-89. https://doi.org/10.22425/jul.2023.24.2.71 HTML PDF PubReader	Article The “Universal” Rebus Principle and Phonosemantic Compounding John Kausch Journal of Universal Language 2023;24(2):91-113. https://doi.org/10.22425/jul.2023.24.2.91 HTML PDF PubReader

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