תחת : a cognitive linguistic analysis of the Biblical Hebrew lexeme
Date
2011-03
Authors
Rodriguez, D. L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis spreek die probleem aan van polisemie in die beskrywing van die Bybels-
Hebreeuse lekseem תחת in die Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Tradisioneel word die lekseem
meestal as ‘n voorsetsel beskou. In hierdie ondersoek word aangetoon dat die lekseem ook as
as ‘n naamwoord, bywoord of voegwoord gebruik kan word. ‘n Kritiese analise van
standaard Bybels-Hebreeuse woordeboeke toon aan dat hierdie bronne mank gaan ‘n
leksikografies begronde raamwerk in terme waarvan polisimiese lekseme ge-orden kan word.
Wat nodig is vir hierdie doeleindes, is leksikale beskrywings eerder as ‘n lys “oënskynlike”
betekenisse. Dit word verder duidelik aangetoon dat vertalingsekwivalente nie altyd
gelykgestel kan word aan die betekenis van ‘n lekseem nie – ‘n praktyk wat al jare lank
onkrities aanvaar word. Kognitief-linguistiese instrumente ten opsigte van kategorisering en
leksikale semantiek word dan ingespan om die lekseem תחת beter te beskryf.
Hierdie studie verteenwoordig so ‘n kognitief-linguistiese analise van die polisemiese
dimensies van die semantiese netwerk van תחת , wat ook bruikbaar kan wees in digitale
leksikografie. Die voorgestelde netwerk word gekomplementeer deur semantiese diagramme
wat die betekenis grafies uitbeeld in plaas daarvan om dit met behulp van
vertalingsekwivalente te beskryf.
Die betekenisonderskeidings wat getref word, is die volgende: substantief (onderkant), plek
(spesifieke plek “spot”), substitusie (in die plek van), uitruiling (in ruil vir), oorsaaklikheid
(omdat) en implisiete perspektief (x onder [die spreker]). Hierdie betekenisonderskeidings
word georganiseer met behulp van ‘n grafiese netwerk wat die semantiese verhouding tussen
die verskillende nuanse illustreer. Die semantiese netwerk stel ook ‘n ontwikkelingsprofiel
van die lekseem voor. Hierdie diagram bied ‘n moontlike verklaring waarom תחת ‘n bepaalde
reeks polemiese onderskeidings simboliseer.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis addresses the problem of polysemy in describing the biblical Hebrew lexeme תחת in the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Traditionally treated as mainly a preposition, it is demonstrated in this study that תחת can also be used as a noun, adverb or conjunction. A critical analysis of standard biblical Hebrew lexica reveals that they typically lack a clear lexicographic framework with which polysemous lexemes can be organized. Ideally, this would offer lexical explanations to users of a lexicon rather than supply lists of alleged meanings. Further, it is also made clear that target language glosses can no longer be accepted as "meaning", a practice which has been uncritically accepted for years. In order to move beyond English glosses, cognitive linguistic tools for categorization and lexical semantics are utilized. This thesis contributes a cognitive linguistic analysis of the polysemous lexeme תחת and a semantic network of תחת that can be useful for digital lexicography. The proposed network is complemented by frame semantic diagrams which describe meaning imagically rather than only with a target language gloss. The various senses established are: substantive (underpart), place (spot), substitution (in place of), exchange (in exchange for), vertical spatial (under), approximately under (at the foot of), control (under the hand), causation (because), and implied perspective (x below [the speaker]). These senses are organized in the proposed network showing the semantic relationship between the senses. The semantic network also provides an evolutionarily plausible explanation of how תחת came to symbolize so many distinct polysemies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis addresses the problem of polysemy in describing the biblical Hebrew lexeme תחת in the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Traditionally treated as mainly a preposition, it is demonstrated in this study that תחת can also be used as a noun, adverb or conjunction. A critical analysis of standard biblical Hebrew lexica reveals that they typically lack a clear lexicographic framework with which polysemous lexemes can be organized. Ideally, this would offer lexical explanations to users of a lexicon rather than supply lists of alleged meanings. Further, it is also made clear that target language glosses can no longer be accepted as "meaning", a practice which has been uncritically accepted for years. In order to move beyond English glosses, cognitive linguistic tools for categorization and lexical semantics are utilized. This thesis contributes a cognitive linguistic analysis of the polysemous lexeme תחת and a semantic network of תחת that can be useful for digital lexicography. The proposed network is complemented by frame semantic diagrams which describe meaning imagically rather than only with a target language gloss. The various senses established are: substantive (underpart), place (spot), substitution (in place of), exchange (in exchange for), vertical spatial (under), approximately under (at the foot of), control (under the hand), causation (because), and implied perspective (x below [the speaker]). These senses are organized in the proposed network showing the semantic relationship between the senses. The semantic network also provides an evolutionarily plausible explanation of how תחת came to symbolize so many distinct polysemies.
Description
Thesis (MA (Ancient Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
Keywords
Hebrew language, Lexicography, Cognitive linguistics, Semantics, Polysemy, Dissertations -- Ancient studies, Theses -- Ancient studies