PROSTORNE OPOZICIJE
SPATIAL OPPOSITIONS

Summary/Abstract: This paper focuses on the fact that many spatial meanings in language are structured on the principle of binary oppositions. This occurs to such an extent that they resemble networks of oppositions usually used to reflect distinctive features in phonology. These spatial oppositions are especially prominent in linguistic units that involve the use of prepositions. The most frequent oppositions of this type are: pre-locativity and post-locativity (ispred kuće/iza kuće); supra-locativity/sub-locativity (nad stolom/pod stolom); intra-locativity/ extra-locativity (u kuću/iz kuće); and ad-locativity/ultra-locativity (blizu škole/daleko od škole). Additionally, some spatial relations within the framework of wider spatial meanings are structured on the principle of opposition. Thus, for example, the opposition beginning/end is a characteristic of the meaning of extremal locativity (na početku ulice/na kraju ulice), and the opposition left/right is a characteristic of the meaning of lateral locativity (lijevo od ulaza/desno od ulaza). Finally, it will be pointed out that some general spatial meanings are also structured on the principle of opposition, especially the opposition locativity/directivity (u gradu/u grad).

• Details
• Contents