The sense of sensory terms and use of the senses in central Flores (Indonesia)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Languages that divide the five conventional senses into two named categories, one including vision and the other all non-visual senses, occur sporadically around the world. Focusing on Ngadha-Lio, a group of Malayo-Polynesian languages spoken on Flores Island (eastern Indonesia), the present discussion reaches several conclusions. First, Ngadha-Lio speakers have special terms and other verbal means of distinguishing the several non-visual senses. This contradicts the idea that languages with two main sensory categories recognize just two senses, as does evidence for hearing being the prototype of the non-visual senses. Drawing on animal naming and metaphor in one Ngadha-Lio language, Nage, it is further shown how speakers place the greatest value on vision in distinguishing different kinds of animals and connecting these with humans. This applies even though in ritual and myth Nage make greater use of smell, touch, and taste than Westerners typically do. Vision also unites animals and humans while distinguishing both from invisible spiritual beings, detectible only through non-visual senses, thus revealing the role different senses play in delineating major ontological categories. Finally, attention is given to the way Ngadha-Lio, like other Malayo-Polynesian languages, verbally identify physical and emotional feeling with the non-visual senses, and particularly touch.