Abstract

KROHN, Haakon S.. THE POLYSEMY OF THE POSTPOSITION «Ã» IN BRIBRI. Forma funcion, Santaf, de Bogot, D.C. [online]. 2018, vol.31, n.1, pp.125-153. ISSN 0120-338X.  https://doi.org/10.15446/fyf.v31n1.70445.

This paper examines the polysemy of the Bribri postposition «ã» from the perspective of cognitive linguistics. It suggests a semantic network in which all the senses of the word are directly or indirectly linked to one central meaning: the static spatial location of a trajector within a landmark conceived as a three-dimensional container (inessive). Several semantic extensions emerge from this proto-scene through metaphors, metonymies, and subjectification, thus creating different continua of associated meanings. In this manner, the primary sense extends to both the temporal domain and the dynamic spatial sub-domain. Likewise, a series of uses of «ã» as a marker of the more abstract semantic roles of recipient, addressee, and beneficiary derives from the function of the metaspatial marker.

Keywords : Bribri language; cognitive linguistics; semantic network; spatial linguistics; adpositions.

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