This book investigates how different languages package and express meanings, a core element in understanding the nature of human language. Cliff Goddard, a proponent of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) framework, presents a collection of studies that explore and demonstrate this approach to cross-linguistic semantics. The work utilizes the NSM framework, originally developed by Anna Wierzbicka, to analyze semantic differences across languages. It aims to provide insights into language universals and diversity through detailed semantic analysis.

This book is positioned as a valuable resource for linguists engaged in language description, lexical semantics, and the study of grammar. It is also intended for advanced students of linguistics and researchers interested in the broader topics of language universals and diversity. The collection showcases the practical application of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) framework, offering a specific methodology for semantic analysis across languages.