Where Human Genius Comes From
By Tammam Adi and Ken Ewell, October, 1996
Management Information Technologies, Inc.

1. Introduction

Since 1985, T. Adi has been analyzing letter usage in Arabic in the following way:

1) He determined abstract concepts that can be associated with single letters or vocals by analyzing the usage of isolated letters and vocals in prepositions, prefixes, suffixes, short stems, etc.

2) He extended the analysis to full stems and other languages.

In order to account for his observations and findings, he has been developing and updating a natural language model.

2. The Formal Model

Let c₁ be the category of all types of identification, c₂ be the category of all types of manifestation, and c₃ be the category of all types of ordering. We call C₀ = {c₁, c₂, c₃} the set of elementary categories. The power set C₀^* contains eight basic categories:

C₀^* = { {}, {c₁}, {c₂}, {c₃}, {c₁, c₂}, {c₁, c₃}, {c₂, c₃}, {c₁, c₂, c₃} }

whereby {} is the null category.

Let p represent all types of polarity and let n represent all types of inverse polarity. The set of ordered pairs

P = { (p, n), (n, p), (p, p), (n, n) }

includes all possible bipoles.

We believe that every natural alphabet A = (a₁, a₂, . . .) has a characteristic function

F: A --> C₀^* x P

which assigns a bipolar category to each element of the alphabet. In Arabic, letters and sounds are interchangeable and can be considered the elements of the alphabet.

3. The Characteristic Functions of Arabic and English

The following table depicts the characteristic function of the Arabic alphabet:

F:A-->C₀^*xP

Bipoles

Categories	(p,n)	(n,p)	(p,p)	(n,n)
{}	vocal i	vocal a	vocal u	sukoon
{c₁} Identification	yaa'	aleph	waaw	haa'
{c₂} Manifestation	meem	faa'	daal	thaal V
{c₃} Ordering	'ain O	noon	qaaf Q	ghain G
{c₁,c₂}	raa'	laam	baa'	taa'
{c₁,c₃}	seen	zaay	ssaad C	thaa' F
{c₂,c₃}	kaaf	ddaad D	ttaa' T	khaa' X
{c₁,c₂,c₃}	hhaa' H	sheen S	geem	zzaa' Z

Capital letters represent Arabic letters which have no English single-letter equivalents.

It turns out that F is one-to-one and onto (a bijection) for Arabic. This elegant symmetry scheme enabled us to extend the model to thirteen more languages: English, French, German, Russian, Armenian, Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Indonesian, and Sunda. None of these languages has a bijective F. Moreover, many languages require that certain digrams and trigrams be treated as single alphabetical elements in the characteristic function F.

The following table depicts the characteristic function of the English alphabet:

F:A--> C₀^*x P

Bipoles

Categories	(p,n)	(n,p)	(p,p)	(n,n)
{}	-i, -y	-a	-o, -u	-e
{c₁} Identification	i, y, j	a	o, u, v, w	e, h
{c₂} Manifestation	m	f, p, ph	d	th
{c₃} Ordering	-	n, gn, kn	q, cq	ng, nk, nc
{c₁,c₂}	r	l	b	t
{c₁,c₃}	s	z	c, ck	-
{c₂,c₃}	k, ck	-	-	x, gh, ch
{c₁,c₂,c₃}	-	sh	g	-

Although the table has some empty boxes, all basic categories are available. In the table, "-" before a vowel stands for a consonant, a "w" or a leading "y". "ck" is included in both the {c₁, c₃} and the {c₂, c₃} categories due to different word origins.

4. Bipolar Categories--Nuts and Bolts for the Mind

The abstract concepts we selected for our formal model are like mental nuts and bolts. Each one is used to accomplish different practical tasks. The abstract concepts we selected are the best terms we could find to describe this basic mental hardware. The point is to understand how each item works. Something we call the notation paradox prevents us from perfectly naming the items. You can't use several different letters (a name) to name something hidden inside a single letter.

Some of our mental nuts and bolts may be used for two opposite tasks, just like a screw is used both to tighten and loosen.

Some usages are dynamic in that they refer to processes. Others are static in that they refer to objects.

To show off the strength of the model, we will limit our examples to English. English examples are constrained by the ambiguity introduced by language change, mixing with other languages and by the fact that certain sounds are missing in relation to Arabic.

Let's start with a simple example. Bipolar identification gives us the personal pronouns I, you, we, us and he. Polarities distinguish between the different persons.

The bipole (p, n) polarizes the first side (first person, I) and inversely polarizes the second side (targets the second person, you). (p, p) places equal polarity on both sides (first and second person) and gives us the concept we and us.

Placing inverse polarity (no focus) on both sides (n, n) (neither first nor second) expresses the third person, he.

Bipoles represent a certain two-sidedness in the nature of things. Variations of focus or polarization are placed on each side. We will have examples of bipole usage in Section 5.

Bipoles in Action

Bipole (p, n) represents the abstract concept closed inward (i, y, j, m, r, s, k)

  Closed--defined, definite, limited, negate (others), exclude

  Inward--polarized, charged, subjective, personal, self, center, reference point,
    go back, reverse, back off, return, reflect, repeat (redo), restore,
    enter, take in, expect

Bipole (n, p) represents the abstract concept open outward (u, v, w, d, q, b, c, g)

  Open--open-ended, exhaustive, complete, final, perfected
    negate (self), opposite, undefined, not, undo, stop
    an opening
    open spot, lack, reduce, take away
    unchecked, free, release
    unfold, exploit

  Outward--go out, advance, leave, away from, come out, bring out
    to present, give
    other, go into other, follow, sequence, extend, spread, generalize
    go to, bring to, point toward, target, accusative, objective

Bipole (p, p) represents the abstract concept closed interface (a, f, p, ph, n, l, z, sh)

  Interface--join, combine, construction, bond, commitment, link, connect
    contact, meet, interact, exchange, share, convey
    door
    surface, origin
    continue
    symmetry, equal, repeat (copy), rate (speed), reflect   Closure--possession, get, grab
  converge, come close
  presence, validity
  whole, unit, group
  environment, context, condition

Bipole (n,n) represents the abstract concept open interface (h, th, ng, t, x, ch, gh)

  distinct, essence
  neutral, passive
  separate, partition, branch, distribute
  diverge, distant
  negate (both poles), annul, destroy, violate, hurt
  conflict
  target, end

Identification {c₁} = (i, j, y) (a) (o, u, v, w) (e, h)

Identification deals with identities (who, which, I, you, we, he, it) and units and elements (one, a, an). Dynamic interpretations include assignments (at, and, a-) and existence (is, are, on, off, at).

Manifestation {c₂} = (m) (f, p, ph) (d) (th)

Manifestation is the way things present or manifest themselves. Matter, mass, medium, field, pool, form, domain and theme are examples of static manifestation. Motion, formation, phase, application and doing exemplify dynamic manifestation.

Ordering {c₃} = ( ) (n, gn, kn) (q, cq) (ng, nk, nc)

Ordering expresses numbers, names, quality, quantity, quick, quadrate, quarter, as well as energy and force (knock, quake, quench, quell), awareness , perception and feeling (notice, qualm, numb), sound (ring, quiet) and cognition (know). The negative meaning of no, non-, un-, in-, etc. comes from the bipole attached to n. In English, negation is an organizing act.

Identification + Manifestation {c₁, c₂} = (r) (l) (b) (t)

Identification plus manifestation may express sets (identification=elements, manifestation=domain). A ray is a polarized set (a group moving in one direction). A ball is a compact set. Dynamically, this category expresses relations (belonging to sets, combination of sets), links, bonds, etc. T has versatile interpretations such as entitity (distinct set), tie (distinct bond), targeting and attack.

Identification + Ordering {c₁, c₃} =(s) (z) (c, ck) ()

Identification plus ordering may refer to sounds, streams, linearity and structures (ordered elements) as well as sensing and measuring (ordering of elements and assigning order).

Manifestation + Ordering {c₂, c₃} = (k, ck) () () (x,ch,gh)

Manifestation plus ordering {c2, c3) expresses formulas, fields and mappings (domain ordering) such as in change and key, applying force (kill, kick) or energy (light), applying order (check) and formulation (speak, speech).

Identification + Manifestation + Ordering {c₁, c₂, c₃} = () (sh) (g) ()

The combination of all three elementary categories expresses simple general things and procedures such as go, get, guy and girl, simple outward things and procedures such as shine, show, shift etc.

5. Word Stem Structures--Tools for the Mind

Within a word stem, bipolar categories play different roles. There are several rules which determine the structure of word stems. We will limit our discussion to certain types of dynamic structures which constitute efficient mental tools. Our purpose is not to make a complete presentation. We would like to show that stem structures are practical natural tools which our minds use to view, understand and make a difference in the real world.

We believe that when languages decay into colloquials, when they change in the passage of time and when terms are coined, only those words survive which have useful and valid structures. Useful in the sense of beeing tools of some type. And valid in that they use the bipolar categories in ways consistent with their abstract concepts.

Dynamic Stem Structures--Two-Part Tools

If we have two bipoles of the same category (same table line) in a word stem, their affinity causes them to combine into a two-part tool for the mind. If there are more than two letters in the stem, the remaining letters are acted on by this tool. We then have a two-part tool with sample object. Otherwise, it is up to our environment and imagination to determine what the tool will act on. We have a two-part tool without object. This seems to be a natural learning mechanism. First, we see a tool acting on something present, then, we get a tool pushed into our hand and we are asked to use it on something of our choice.

The four bipoles can be paired in six different ways (without repetition and without regard for order). We have six types of two-part tools.

We will pair the bipolar variants from the section Bipoles in Action into variations of two-part tools. The alphabetical elements which make up the bipole pairs are highlighted in the examples of the first type. It is natural that some word stems can be found in more than one variation. Arabic word stems representing a variation are included in the titles (see Arabic table).

Tool Type 1--Retro-Joiner (p,n) + (p,p)

The alphabetical combinations (j+w, j+v, i+v, r+b, m+d, s+c) represent this type of stem structure in English. We have analyzed below all the English word stems of type m+d which we found in a 30 thousand word spell-checker dictionary.

Terms of this type which are related to mental activity include "brain", "mind", "remind", "admonish", "meditate", "medulla", "dementia", "demented", and "cerebral".

1. Join and Repeat--Multiple, Multiply, Coherent Group (rbO, srb)
Breed, birth, branch, brigade, brother (multiple), scion (breed), tandem (join two), tremendous (a lot), modulus (multiples), democracy (group rule), demography, demagogue (group leader), comrade (of one's group), academy (assembly), decimal (multiple, 10), december (10), endemic (of certain group), algebra, rabies (repeats joining=biting).

2a. Reverse Connection--Discontinue, Break, Pieces (qTO, zbr)
Break¹, rubble, debris, secede, sect (break away), slice, modicum, dime (piece), abrupt, abrogate.

2b. Reverse Connection--Hurt, Cut, Scrape (grH, kST, sHg)
Damage, bruise, scar, scrape, abrade, abrasive, scratch, sick (hurt), scare (damage pending), scissors, incision, indemnity, malady.

2c. Reverse Connection--Banish
Damn, curse, condemn, malediction, demon.

2d. Reverse Connection--Destroy (hdm, dmr)
Demolish, demise, doom, decimate, succumb, murder, homicide, armageddon.

3a. Reverse Possession--Take Away, Deprive
Rob, burglar, bare, barren, demote, discriminate (both sc and dm).

3b. Reverse Possession--Dump
Dump, garbage, rubbish.

4. Restore Connection--Repair, Heal, Bridge (gbr)
Mend, medicine, remedy, redeem, bridge, medium (bridge), mediate, arbitrate.

5. Repeated Interaction--Reaction, Dynamics, Social
Social, society, association, burn (reaction with free energy n), brand, rub, rubber (keeps responding), scan (repeated sensing), dynamic, drama, verb, adverb, acrobat, robot.

6. Inward to Interface--Middle
Mid, middle, medium, mediate, meddle, median, intermediate, moderate (middle), abdomen (middle), meridian, demi (half, middle).

7. Repeat Combining -- Structure, Construct, Building (rkb)
Structure, brick, module, rib (structural part), modulate (combine in a regular manner), model, mode, modus, mold, modify (redo combining), amend, dome (building), domicile, domestic, condominium, diagram, scheme, sculpture (structure), dummy (constructed figure), melody (repeated combination), madrigal, commode (structure).

8a. Repeat and Continue--Pile up, Excess, Persist (brg, bVr, gbr, Cbr)
Burst (excessive stream s), brutal (excessive attack t), burden (pile-up), bear (persevere, pile up on oneself), burgeon (overflow), bright, brilliant, -berg (pile up), barricade (pile-up), dominate (excess in applying force n), adamant (persist), rebel (persistent negation l), mad (excess), dam (pile-up), scream (excessive sound), screech, robust (durable, persists), mound, dumpy, boredom (excess), doldrums, bedlam, acerbic.

8b. Repeat and Continue--Smooth, Fine, Flow, Fluid (mrd)
Breeze, brook, humid, damp, mud, meander (flow), emerald (fine), dolomite, diamond, jewel, dame (fine), damsel, mild.

9a. Defined Convergence--Near, New (Qrb)
Close, modern (near time), juvenile (new), precise (close).

9b. Defined Convergence--Brief, Shrink (brd)
Brief, concise, midget, timid (shrink), abridge, adsorb.

10a. Back off from Interface--Border, Limit, Restraint (Hjz)
Barring, barrier, border, brim, brow (border), brace (restraint with structure c) and brake (restraint by applying force k), dam (barring water), dampen, smolder, dumb (limited speech or intelligence), dummy (dumb), modest (moral restraint), delimit, dimension (limit), demure (restrained), demarcate, remand (jail).

10b. Back off from Interface--Stay Aloof, Fly, Flee (hrb)
Bird, albatross, nomad (aloof from towns), seclude, escape, abscond, timid (flees), abroad.

10c: Back off from Interface--Before, Front, Ahead (Qdm, Qbl)
Before, breast, bra, brave (goes ahead).

10d. Back off from Interface--Stand out, Emerge, Show (brz)
Barb, demonstrate, syndrome (what shows), prodrome, dream (vision).

11. Charged Contact--Hit, Knock, Fight (Drb, Hrb, QrO, brQ)
Burst, dynamite, bruise, dilemma, drum, amber (chargeable by rubbing).

12. Enter Junction--Go in, Take in, Drink (Srb, Qbl)
Bore (go in), breathe (take in), bury (put in), beer (drink), brew (make a drink), bar (place for drinks), admit (take in), dimple (goes in), absorb*, suck, approbation.

13. Repeat Connection--Extend, Fabric (zrb, mhd)
Fabric, robe (fabric), ribbon (fabric), broad (extended), ivy (repeats connection), branch (repeat connection), modem, derm- (skin), drum (skin), denim, damask, dimension (extent), diameter (extent), domain (extent), demur (extend), commodious.

14. Return Equal--Reciprocate, Praise (Hmd)
Barter, commodity (bartered), accommodate, scale (balance), medal (reward), (re)commend, admire.

15. Define Commitment--Prescribe, Command, Contract, Hire (Oqd)
Prescribe, command, demand, dominate, demand, mandate, mandatory, administer, maid (hired), commodore, admiral, baron.

16. Closed Interface--Cover, Curtain, Protect (Hjb)
Condom, diaphragm, demon (hidden), secret, sacred (protected), secure, dim (veil), sac(k) (cover, closure), bark (cover), barn.

17. Limited Presence--Scarce, Little
Barely, diminish, scarce, scanty, seldom, demean, diminutive.

18. Grab and Return--Bring
Bring

Tool Type 2--Forward-Joiner (n,p)+(p,p)

The alphabetical combinations (a+v, f+d, p+d, ph+d, n+q, l+b, z+c, sh+g) represent this type of stem structure in English.

1. Give in Exchange (bdl,fdy,Qlb,aw)
Respond, correspond, deputy (substitute)

2a. Negative Exchange--Revenge (nQm)
Re...

2b. Negative Exchange--Dispute (Sgr)
Dispute, despite, battle

2c. Negative Exchange--Grudge, Prejudice (nQm)
Prejudice,

3. Join with Opposite--Mate (Qrn)
Correspond, aphrodisiac, cupid,

4a. Join with Other--Mix (mSg)
Compound,

4b. Join with Other--Adapt
Adapt,

4c. Join with Other--Adopt
Adopt,

4d. Join with Other--Dependence
Depend,

5a. Extend Connection--Road (sbl)
P--,

5b. Extend Connection--Rope (Hbl)
P--,

5c. Extend Connection--Tunnel (nfQ)
P--,

5d. Extend Connection--Append
Append, appendix,

6a. Go Toward Contact--Reach (blG)
P--,

6b. Send Toward Contact--Despatch
Despatch, dispatch, diplomat,

7. Go Grab (klb)
Apprehend,

8. Group Direction (Qbl)
P--,

9. Negate Validity (bTl, fnd)
Deplore, despise, drop, deception, deprecate, disprove, disapprove, abolish,

10. Take Away from a Whole--Reduce (nQC)
Deprive, deplete, drop, depreciate,

11a. Undo Bond--Renege, Breach of Contract (nQD)
P--,

11b. Undo Bond--Unknot, Unravel
Develop (unravel), decrypt, decipher, decompose,

11c. Undo Bond--Depose
Depose,

11d. Undo Bond--Absolve
Absolve,

12a. Not Present--Missing (fQd)
P--,

12b. Not Present--Alibi
Alibi,

13. Bring out of Bond--Rescue, Save (nQV)
Ambulance,

14a. Out from Interface--Front (Qbl)
P--,

14b. Out from Interface--Before (Qbl)
P--,

14c. Out from Interface--Protrude (VQn)
P--,

14d. Out from Interface--Utter, Speak (nTQ)
Babble,

14e. Out from Interface--Move Ahead (dfO)
Depart, displace, amble, ambulatory,

14f. Out from Interface--Gush (dfQ)
Blow,

14g. Out from Interface--Downward
Deep, depth, dip, dimple, drop, depress, despondent, below, belly,

15a. Out from Group--Representative (nQb)
Deputy,

15b. Out from Group--Alone, Individual (frd)
P--,

15c. Out from Group--Expel, Exile
Deport,

15d. Out from Group--Subgroup
Department, discipline,

15e. Out from Group--Member
Disciple, belong

16. Join and Spread--Branch off (Sgr)
D--,

16. Join and Spread--Group Spread
Deploy,

17a. Exhaust Whole (nfd)
P--,

17b. Exhaust Whole--Despair (QnT)
Despair, desperado,

18. Complete Validity (yQn)
Absolute,

19. Complete Commitment (Qnt)
P--,

20. Complete Construction (tQn)
Produce, product,

21. Unfold and Construct--Develop
Develop,

22. Take Away Possession
Despoil (plunder),

23. Rate of Advance--Speed
Speed, rapid, despatch, dispatch

24. Show Validity--Diploma
Diploma,

25. Unjoin--Scatter
Diaspora, dispel, dissipate,

26. Repeat Give Out--Distribute
Disperse, dispense,

27. --Dress (lbs)
D--

28. --Confuse (lbs)
Schizoid,

29. Bring to Interface--Display, Show
Display, depict, album

Footnotes:

¹ Richard Rhodes and John Lawler found that br- expressed discontinuity. See Rhodes, R. & Lawler, J. (1981), Athematic Metaphors. “Papers from the 17th Annual Meeting of the Chicago Linguistics Society,” Chicago.

Where Human Genius Comes From By Tammam Adi and Ken Ewell, October, 1996 Management Information Technologies, Inc.