'Researchers found sounds indicating negative emotions were widely understood by both groups but positive emotions were mainly culture-specific.
Dr Disa Sauter from University College London travelled into remote northern Namibia to find members of the semi-nomadic Himba people to take part.
Happiness was divided up into achievement or triumph, relief, amusement and sensual pleasure. Only amusement, signified by laughter, translated well.
"It's rather nice that laughter has this apparent universality and it would make sense," said Professor Sophie Scott, another member of the research team.
"Laughter would seem to be found in all human cultures and humans aren't the only mammals that laugh."
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