---
title: "reductive paraphrase"
type: concept
related: [Natural Semantic Metalanguage, Reductive Paraphrase, Semantic Primes, Conceptual Grammar]
source: https://www.jemoka.com/posts/kbhreductive_paraphrase/
confidence: high
status: active
---

in NSM, reductive paraphrase is the act of reducing all utterances in a language into semantic primes.
This is usually done with the application of an inherent, universal grammar: the conceptual grammar of semantic primes.
problems with reductive paraphrasing In the experiment conducted by (Labov 1973), Labov (according to (Geeraerts 2009), manuscript not found) showed that the boundaries of cup vs. mug are not clearly delineated.
