Right = Left ? The concepts of “right-left” and brain asymmetry<p>Sağ = Sol ? “Sağ-sol” kavramları ve beyin asimetrisi

Journal Title: Journal of Human Sciences - Year 2015, Vol 12, Issue 2

Abstract

Although “right” and “left” are neutral words those describe directions, they have some positive and negative meanings in cultural contexts. Attributing positive meanings for right and negative meanings for left is observed in different cultures, languages and belief systems including Turkish culture. In the presented study, Turkish words, sayings and phrasses including right, left and right-left together were examined according to their meanings (positive, negative, neutral) by referencing Turkish Language Instituion. It was observed that the word “right” had 15 positive meanings and the word “left” had no positive meanings.  On the other hand, it was found that the word “right” had no negative meanings and “left” had four negative meanings and there were eight negative meanings including the words “left” and “right” together.  The predisposition of attributing positive/negative meanings to right and left is discussed in a neuroscientific perspective and it is assessed in the context of two hemispheric specializations in the brain: 1. Motor asymmetries and handedness 2. Emotions and Valence Hypothesis.  Generally, attributing positive meanings for right and negative meanings for left seems to be related to human physiological system, structural and functional brain asymmetries and dependently human cognition and comprehension. ÖzetSağ ve sol kavramları ilk anlamları itibariyle yön belirten nötr sözcükler olmasına rağmen kültürel bağlamda bu sözcüklerin olumlu ve olumsuz anlamlara sahip olduğu görülmektedir. Sağa olumlu, sola olumsuz anlam atfetme Türk kültürü de dahil olmak üzere farklı kültürlerde, dillerde ve inanç sistemleri içerisinde gözlenmektedir. Sunulan makalede Türk Dil Kurumu referans alınarak sağ, sol ve sağ ile solun birlikte kullanıldığı sözcük, birleşik sözcük, deyim ve atasözleri içerdikleri olumlu, olumsuz ve nötr anlamlara göre gruplandırılmıştır. Buna göre Türk Dilinde “sağ” sözcüğüne ilişkin 15 olumlu anlamın olduğu, buna karşın “sol” sözcüğüne ilişkin hiçbir olumlu anlamın olmadığı gözlenmiştir. Öte yandan, “sağ” sözcüğüne ilişkin hiçbir olumsuz anlamın olmadığı, “sol”sözcüğüne ilişkin dört ve “sol” ile “sağın” birlikte kullanıldığı sekiz olumsuz anlamın olduğu bulunmuştur. Sunulan makalede insanların sağa ve sola olumlu/olumsuz anlam atfetme eğilimi nörobilim bakış açısından ele alınarak beyinde yer alan iki hemisferik özelleşme temelinde değerlendirilmiştir: 1. Motor Asimetriler ve El Kullanımı 2. Duygular ve Değerlik Hipotezi. Genel olarak sağa olumlu, sola olumsuz anlamlar atfetmek insanın fizyolojik sistemiyle, yapısal ve işlevsel beyin asimetrileriyle ve buna bağlı olarak ortaya çıkan insan bilişi ve kavrayışı ile ilgili gibi görünmektedir.

Authors and Affiliations

Evrim Gülbetekin

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP643792
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How To Cite

Evrim Gülbetekin (2015). Right = Left ? The concepts of “right-left” and brain asymmetry<p>Sağ = Sol ? “Sağ-sol” kavramları ve beyin asimetrisi. Journal of Human Sciences, 12(2), 1279-1295. https://europub.co.uk./articles/-A-643792