Ethnolinguistic Perspectives on Indigenous Cosmology: Language as a Medium of Worldview Transmission through Mythological Lexicons
Abstract
This study investigates the ethnolinguistic significance of cosmological terms within indigenous mythologies, emphasizing their function as linguistic vehicles for the transmission of worldview. The central aim is to analyze how these lexical elements encode and reflect cultural, spiritual, and ecological systems of knowledge, thereby illuminating the intrinsic link between language and cosmology. Employing a qualitative research design, the study adopts a literature-based approach to examine cosmological terminology embedded in mythological narratives across a range of indigenous cultures. Data collection involved the systematic identification, categorization, and thematic analysis of key terms to interpret their semantic content and contextual functions. The findings demonstrate that cosmological terms frequently possess both tangible and symbolic dimensions, with natural phenomena such as water, earth, and celestial bodies serving as metaphors for spiritual and ecological interdependence. These terms play a critical role in the intergenerational transmission of cultural epistemologies, contributing to the maintenance of collective identity and cosmological continuity. The study advances the field of ethnolinguistics by evidencing the centrality of language in sustaining indigenous cosmologies and by proposing a conceptual framework for the integration of linguistic and cultural revitalization efforts. Preservation of such terms is shown to be vital not only for linguistic heritage but also for safeguarding embedded cultural and spiritual knowledge. Future research directions include examining the transformation of cosmological lexicons in contemporary indigenous discourse and their relevance to ecological and environmental practices.
Keywords: cosmological terms, worldview, indigenous mythology, ethnolinguistics, language preservation.
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