Browsing by Author "Lyle, Kristopher Aaron"
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- ItemA cognitive semantic assessment of עִם and אֵת's semantic potential(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-03) Lyle, Kristopher Aaron; Van der Merwe, C. H. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis provides a critical assessment of the semantic potential of two Biblical Hebrew lexemes: עִם and אֵת . Previous lexical inquiries of the target lexemes provide the impetus for the current research; this is because the linguistic frameworks assumed by these studies are outmatched in the amount of explanatory power accompanying more recent theoretical developments, primarily evidenced within Cognitive linguistics (and semantics). As its methodological framework, the current study then appropriates these new advances and demonstrates a semantic potential of the target lexemes that can be determined through criteria offered by Tyler and Evans (2003). This criteria specifically aids in the task of semantic demarcation as well as identifying the primary sense, from which the remaining network of senses are derived. Furthermore, not only is an attempt made at representing the range of עִם and אֵת 's semantic potential, but a proposal for the development of these senses is offered as well. This is done primarily through an implementation of the theory of grammaticalization, as posited by Heine et al. (1991). The identified semantic networks are then analyzed from two different perspectives of lexical inquiry: 1) as a monosemy-polysemy cline, and 2) from both a semasiological and onomasiological point of departure (the latter method of onomasiology represents a unique contribution to the assessment of עִם and אֵת since most Biblical Hebrew lexical inquiries are limited to being a semasiological endeavor). The investigation uses the Pentateuch as its data-set and reveals a representation of (at least) eleven distinct senses in עִם 's semantic network as well as אֵת 's. Even though each lexeme's semantic potential is comprised of primarily the same senses, these eleven distinct senses are not completely synonymous and represent different meanings. Significantly, it is determined that 1) both target lexemes share the same primary sense (i.e., proto-scene), 2) both indicate the same core senses and consequently, 3) the target lexemes may rightly be considered as near synonyms.