Steps towards a Semantics of Dance

Abstract As formal theoretical linguistic methodology has matured, recent years have seen the advent of applying it to objects study that transcend language, e.g., syntax and semantics music (Lerdahl & Jackendoff 1983, Schlenker 2017a; see also Rebuschat et al. 2011). One aims such extensions is shed new light on how meaning construed in a range communicative systems. In this paper, we approach goal by looking at narrative dance form Bharatanatyam. We argue semantic can be modeled closely after visual proposed Abusch (2013, 2014, 2021). A central conclusion not only shares properties other fundamentally human means expression, as music, but exhibits similarities sign languages gestures non-signers (see, 2020) uses space track individuals performatively portray actions those individuals. From perspective general cognition, these conclusions corroborate idea investigations beyond language (see Patel-Grosz forthcoming) yield insights into very nature mind devices avails.