Related to the question about whether facial expressions are universal.

Are there words/verbal expressions/sounds that exist in every language and have the same meaning in every language?

(I’d also count words that are very similar.)

One example, that I believe is universal is M followed by a vowel followed by another M and optionally another vowel, meaning “Mother”.

At least in any language I know, this seems to hold true (mom, Mama, mamma, Mami, …).

Any other examples?

Edit: To clarify, I am not looking for very popular words that have been imported into most languages (like how almost everyone worldwide knows what Ketchup is), but about words that are “native” to humans. So if you pick someone from an uncontacted native tribe and tell them nothing, they would be able to understand/use that word/sound/verbal expression.

-4 points

Most people in the world understand what “fuck off” means

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5 points

“mhm” to signify you’re still listening and following along seems pretty universal to me.

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2 points

That would fit the bill. I think that could be universal.

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1 point

Not even that.

For example the Spanish will use “éeeh” and the Portuguese “áaah”.

I’ve heard those described by a voice coach as “resting sounds” and from my observation they depend not just on the language one speaks but sometimes even on regional accent.

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-1 points

Same with “huh?”

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8 points
*

I read somewhere recently that “OK” is the most widely used expression accross languages. Not universal per se, but close enough.

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1 point

this is the product of globalization, more to come

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1 point

@Barbash

I had just recently watched some documentary or something, and part of it was about what might be considered a “universal” word. “OK” and “Coca Cola” were like the only two that fit the bill.

And while it’s kind of neat to see how even unrelated language groups adapt, it’s sad that “coca cola” of all things is leading the charge.

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2 points

Well, in Georgian language “mama” is the word for father and “deda” is the word for mother so.

As to the actual exoressive words that are not about items then no, I don’t believe there’s any “universal words” - some words kinda became “natural” for many cultures like “ok”, “'alo” (when answering a call). Yet Turkish for “ok” is “tamam” and older folks might not understand “ok”. In my experience even sounds are not quite the same across the globe.

Overall I think there’s definitely a way to universally express basic needs and feelings like anger, sadness, confusion, etc. with sounds and expressions combined - people might not get the cause but they’ll get the point.

P. S. On the second thought - crying is quite universal, yeah.

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1 point

The closest thing to a universal word is a scream. After some experience nearly all humans–regardless of region or native languages–can tell the difference between a scream of sudden fear and the scream of a mother who’s child just died.

The scream of pain is a bit cultural/regional (“ow!”, “fuck!”, “damnit!”) but I’m guessing most humans could tell what someone means when they shout any given sound or word after accidentally banging their finger with a hammer or stepping on a lego brick while barefoot.

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