On hypothetical grammatical emotional categories

Abstract

This discussion note engages with Martina Wiltschko’s (2024) exploration of the relationship between language and emotions, particularly her proposal aimed at accounting for the unavailability of grammatical emotional categories and the potential for neurocognitive evidence to support a uniform approach. While the article opens up compelling theoretical and empirical directions, several aspects of the argumentation invite further clarification or critical reflection, as Wiltschko herself explicitly acknowledges. By examining some of these areas and occasionally adopting a devil’s advocate perspective, this note aims to contribute to developing a nuanced understanding of the interplay between linguistic and emotional structure.