Abstract extensions of the relation UNDER represented by English particle under and Polish verbal prefix pod-
Abstract extensions of the relation UNDER represented by English particle under and Polish verbal prefix pod-

Author(s): Ewa Konieczna
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Semantics, Western Slavic Languages
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Summary/Abstract: In this paper, it is argued that multiple abstract senses of the particle under and the verbal prefix pod- are motivated by the prototypical spatial meaning of the corresponding prepositions. Principled Polysemy Model adopted here argues that meaning extension takes place through general cognitive principles, such as experiential correlation, or real world force dynamics. Owing to pragmatic strengthening, the new meaning becomes established in the semantic network as a separate sense, distinct from the spatial configuration which initially gave rise to it but at the same time was grounded in human everyday interactions with the world and the nature of human body. The aim pursued here is to analyze non-spatial extensions of the particle under and verbal prefix pod- with a view to identifying both universal tendencies and language specific divergences.

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