Gaps in the Lexicon Restrict Communication

Abstract Across languages, words carve up the world of experience in different ways. For example, English lacks an equivalent to Chinese superordinate noun tiáowèipǐn, which is loosely translated as “ingredients used season food while cooking.” Do such differences matter? A conventional label may offer a uniquely effective way communicating. On other hand, lexical gaps be easily bridged by compositional power language. After all, most ideas we want express do not map onto simple forms. We conducted referential Director/Matcher communication task with adult speakers and English. Directors provided clue that Matchers select from word grid. The three target corresponded term (e.g., beverages) either or but both. found were more accurate at choosing when their language lexicalized category. This advantage was driven entirely Directors’ use/non-use intended term. presence had no measurable effect on speakers’ within- between-category similarity ratings. These results show ability rely surprisingly important despite flexibility languages communicate about non-lexicalized categories.