Cross Comparison of Synonym Graphs in A Multi Linguistic Context

TL;DR

This paper compares synonym graphs across multiple languages from Eastern and Western cultures using complex network analysis to identify cultural differences and similarities, filling a gap in cross-linguistic cultural studies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach by using WordNets from different languages as complex lexical networks to analyze cultural differences.

Findings

Identifies structural differences in synonym networks between Eastern and Western languages.

Provides insights into cultural variations through network analysis.

Establishes a new methodology for cross-cultural linguistic comparison.

Abstract

Language is one of the most important aspects of human cognition; it represents the way we think, act and communicate with each other. Each language has its own history, background, and form. A language represents a lot of important cultural aspects of the nation speaking it. Languages differ and so do cultures. In this paper we analyze cultural differences between East and West in a multi-linguistic context from a complex networks point of view. There has been considerable work on the topic of cultural differences by psychologist and sociologist. Also studies on complex networks that make use of WordNet have been done, but until now there is no previous work that uses WordNets from different Eastern and Western languages as complex lexical networks in order to obtain possible differences or similarities between the cultures using those respective languages. Our work aims to do this.