Типы когнитивных моделей многозначности лингвистических терминов

Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika

–

Зарубежная

лингвистика

и

лингводидактика

–

Foreign

Linguistics and Linguodidactics

Journal home page:

https://inscience.uz/index.php/foreign-linguistics

Types of cognitive models of polysemy of linguistic terms

Madina DALIEVA

1

Uzbekistan State University of World Languages

ARTICLE INFO

ABSTRACT

Article history:

Received January 2024

Received in revised form

10 January 2024
Accepted 25 February 2024

Available online

25 May 2024

This article explores cognitive models of polysemy, revealing

how multiple meanings of linguistic terms are structured and

understood. Through radial categorization and metaphorical

extension, it underscores the complexity of language and

cognition.

2181-3663

/©

2024 in Science LLC.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47689/2181-3701-vol2-iss2-pp312-318

This is an open-access article under the Attribution 4.0 International

(CC BY 4.0) license (

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.ru

)

Keywords:

polysemy,

cognitive models,

linguistic terms,

radial categorization,

metaphorical extension,
language processing.

Лингвистик атамалар полисемиясининг когнитив

моделларининг турлари

АННОТАЦИЯ

Калит сўзлар:

полисемия,

когнитив моделлар,
лингвистик атамалар,

radial туркумлаш,
метафорик кенгайтма,
тилни қайта ишлаш.

Ушбу мақола полисемиянинг когнитив моделларини

ўрганади, лингвистик атамаларнинг бир нечта маънолари
қандай тузилганлиги ва тушунилганлигини очиб беради.
Категоризация ва метафорик кенгайиш орқали у тил ва

билишнинг мураккаблигини таъкидлайди.

Типы

когнитивных

моделей

многозначности

лингвистических терминов

АННОТАЦИЯ

Ключевые слова:

многозначность,
когнитивные модели,

лингвистические

В этой статье исследуются когнитивные модели

многозначности, которые объясняют, как множественные

значения лингвистических терминов структурируются и

1

PhD, Associate Professor, Uzbekistan State University of World Languages. E-mail: m.daliyeva@uzswlu.uz

Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika

–

Зарубежная лингвистика

и лингводидактика

–

Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics

Issue

–

2

№

2 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701

313

термины,

радиальная
категоризация,
метафорическое

расширение,

языковая обработка.

понимаются. С использованием методов категоризации и

метафорического

расширения

статья

подчеркивает

сложность языка и процессов познания.

INTRODUCTION

Understanding the polysemy of linguistic terms

–

where a single word can hold

multiple related meanings

–

is a complex endeavor that sits at the intersection of

linguistics, cognitive science, and psychology. Polysemy not only enriches language,
allowing for nuance and subtlety in communication but also poses challenges for
language learners and computational models trying to grasp the full context of word
usage [2]. Cognitive models of polysemy offer frameworks for dissecting this
multifaceted phenomenon, providing insights into how individuals mentally organize and
process the plethora of meanings that a single term can emdiv.

These models are grounded in the principle that the human mind categorizes

experiences and concepts not in a rigid, but in a flexible and interconnected manner. Such
categorization facilitates the understanding and retrieval of meanings based on context,
experience, and cognitive processes [6]. Among the various types of cognitive models,
some focus on the prototypical structures where meanings radiate from a core concept,
while others emphasize the dynamic nature of meaning generated through conceptual
metaphors, metonymies, or the blending of different cognitive spaces.

Furthermore, the role of context cannot be overstated, as it influences significantly

which meaning of a polysemous word is activated in a particular instance. Models such as
frame semantics and scenario-based approaches delve into how situational contexts cue
specific meanings, enriching our understanding of language comprehension and use.

Delving into the types of cognitive models of polysemy, we explore not just the

academic pursuit of categorizing and understanding linguistic phenomena, but also the
practical implications for artificial intelligence, language teaching, and the study of
human cognition. This exploration not only sheds light on the complexity of language but
also the intricate workings of the human mind in processing and employing polysemous
terms effectively in communication.

METHODS

The study of cognitive models of polysemy in linguistic terms across English,

Uzbek, and Russian languages reveals a sophisticated framework for understanding the
multifaceted nature of words. Cognitive models view polysemy not as a random
assortment of meanings but as a structured and systematic set of meanings connected by
common cognitive principles. This review delves into several cognitive models identified
in the literature, including radial categorization, metaphorical projection, metonymy,
conceptual blending, conceptual domains, and frame and scenario models, to elucidate
how they contribute to our comprehension of linguistic term polysemy.

Radial categorization, a core cognitive model, illustrates how words extend from a

prototypical meaning to more peripheral meanings through metaphorical or
metonymical expansion, forming a radial structure of meanings around a central core.
This model, akin to the framework of prototype theory, highlights the gradient nature of
linguistic categories and their organization around functional similarities and identity.

Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika

–

Зарубежная лингвистика

и лингводидактика

–

Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics

Issue

–

2

№

2 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701

314

Jendzejko’s analysis of complex verb

-noun predicates (VNAs) through prototype theory

serves as a prime example of this model in action [1]. It demonstrates how categories in
language are organized around prototypical centers, with meanings radiating outwards
through processes of nominalization and secondary verbalization, leading to a radial
organization of meaning within the linguistic domain.

Further exploring the polysemic nature of linguistic terms Purmohammad, Shams,

and Torabi investigated the Persian verb prefix

forou

, illustrating how its prototypical

meaning extends into semantic networks of diminution, humiliation, and degradation,
emdiving the principles of radial categorization [2]. This contextual-dependent nature
of word meanings underlines the flexibility and dynamism inherent in language, further

supported by Scallman’s corpus analysis of Spanish verbs signifying

to throw

, which

showcases the use of metaphorical and metonymical expansions aligned with radial
categorization principles [4].

Moreover, the work of Soper and Kenig on semantic embeddings emphasizes the

significance of polysemy in semantic categorization, suggesting a nuanced understanding
of word meanings beyond static representations [5]. This highlights the pivotal role of
polysemy in linguistic analysis, where radial categorization aids in deciphering the
complexities of language by identifying the roles of prototypes, metonymy, and metaphor
in the formation and expansion of meanings.

In a specialized context, Buzheninov investigates the application of radial

categorization within the sublanguage of homeopathy, proposing that this model can
more accurately reflect the structure and nuances of specialized terminologies [7]. This
perspective underscores the potential of radial categorization to analyze complex
conceptual systems, where traditional categorization methods might fall short, thereby
providing a more comprehensive understanding of the multiplicity and
interconnectedness of meanings within specialized domains.

The exploration of cognitive models of polysemy across different languages offers

valuable insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying our perception, processing,
and interpretation of polysemous words [8]. The radial categorization model, in
particular, provides a robust framework for understanding the structured and systematic
nature of polysemy, grounded in cognitive processes. This model, alongside others
discussed in this review, underscores the gradient and dynamic nature of linguistic
categories, highlighting the intricate web of meanings that constitute our linguistic
understanding.

At the heart of our approach is an in-depth exploration of selected linguistic

concepts, to clarify their semantic structure. This process starts by identifying the
prototypical meaning of each term, which is considered the core or most fundamental
understanding from which other meanings emerge. After this identification, we
investigate the metonymic and metaphorical associations of these meanings.

The analysis of the concept begins with its basic understanding as the rules that

govern the combination of words to form sentences. Then, we explore its more extensive
implications within the fields of grammatical structures and logical organization. This
layered approach allows us to understand and appreciate the complexity and diversity of
linguistic concepts, highlighting the intricate interplay between different meanings. Our
methodology goes beyond the limits of a single language or linguistic tradition by
adopting a comparative perspective that encompasses several languages. We aim to shed

Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika

–

Зарубежная лингвистика

и лингводидактика

–

Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics

Issue

–

2

№

2 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701

315

light on the universal patterns as well as the unique characteristics inherent in radical
categorization through different linguistic contexts. This comparative approach not only
enhances our understanding of polyseme within individual languages but also
contributes to a deeper appreciation of linguistic diversity and the shared cognitive
strategies that humans employ in language comprehension and use.

RESULTS

Radial categorization represents an effective way to analyze the polysemy of

linguistic terms, allowing us to uncover how from the prototypical meaning of a word,
less central meanings deviate through metaphorical and metonymic extension. Polysemy,
being a characteristic of many linguistic terms in various languages such as English,
Uzbek, and Russian, can be effectively analyzed using this model. In English: The term

“

syntax

”

has the following meanings:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

rules for combining words and phrases into sentences.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

the system of grammar rules of a language.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

the structure and logical organization of something.

In Uzbek: The term “

so‘z

”:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

a unit of speech, a word.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

lexicon, vocabulary.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

speech, statement.

In Russian: The term “значение”:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

the meaning of a word, or concept.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

the aggregate of all meanings of a polysemous word.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

the importance, and value of something.

The analysis of the polysemy of these linguistic terms based on the model of radial

categorization is aimed at studying how the meanings of words evolve and transform
within a language. The prototypical meaning is the initial and most basic meaning of the
term, which forms the basis of its understanding; this meaning represents the most
commonly used and widely accepted sense of the word, around which all its other
meanings are constructed. For example, for the term

syntax

, the prototypical meaning in

English is the rules for combining words and phrases into sentences, for the term

so‘z

in

Uzbek

–

the meaning "a unit of speech, a word", and for the term

значение

in Russian

–

the meaning of a word, concept. Metonymic extension occurs when the meaning of a
word extends due to the association or close connection between two elements.
In linguistic terminology, this can happen, for example, when a certain part (e.g., syntactic
rules) represents the whole (the entire language apparatus). Similarly: lexicon,
vocabulary in the semantic structure of the term

so‘z

, and the aggregate of all meanings of

a polysemous word for the term «значение». Thus, the term begins to denote not only its

original meaning but also a broader concept into which this meaning is incorporated.
The metaphorical extension allows the term to be used in more abstract and transferred
meanings, often going beyond its original use. For example, the concept of syntax can be
applied to the structure and logical organization not only of linguistic but also of non-
linguistic systems. Let's provide more examples of the analysis of the polysemy of terms
in the studied languages according to the model of radial categorization: In English:
The term

meaning

has the following meanings:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

the sense, and meaning of a word.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

semantics, the science of meaning in language.

Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika

–

Зарубежная лингвистика

и лингводидактика

–

Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics

Issue

–

2

№

2 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701

316

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

purpose, importance of something.

The term

speech

:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

oral speech, conversation.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

language, communication system.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

public speaking, lecture.

The term

text

:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

a written document, words on a page.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

corpus, collection of written works.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

cultural product, system of meanings.

In Uzbek: The term

nutq

has the following meanings:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

speech, speaking.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

language, communication system.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

performance, address.

The term

ma’no

:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

sense, meaning of a word.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

semantics, the science of meaning.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

purpose, importance of something.

The term

matn

:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

written text.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

a corpus of texts.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

cultural product, a system of meanings.

In Russian: The term

знак

has the following meanings:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

designation, symbol.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

language, system of signs.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

sign, indication of something.

The term

речь

:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

the process of speaking.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

statement, text.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

oratorical performance.

The term

контекст

:

1.

Prototypical meaning

–

linguistic environment.

2.

Metonymic extension

–

discourse, communicative situation.

3.

Metaphorical extension

–

general environment, background.

DISCUSSION

Generally, through the process of radial categorization, it is possible to gain an

understanding of how linguistic terms change over time based on their original
meanings. This occurs through metonymic expansion, where the meaning of a word
expands within its semantic field, or through metaphorical expansion, in which the word
is used in new and unusual ways. By applying the radial categorization model, it is
possible to trace connections between different meanings of polysemantic terms and
highlight their prototypic or central meanings. These extensions demonstrate a radial
distribution of meanings, ranging from more prototypic to less central, based on
cognitive associations and contextual relations.

The analysis of polysemy in linguistic terms, in English, Uzbek, and Russian

through the lens of radial categorization reveals the role of metaphors and metonymies
in the formation of complex networks of word meanings. This methodology offers

Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika

–

Зарубежная лингвистика

и лингводидактика

–

Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics

Issue

–

2

№

2 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701

317

valuable insights into the structure and development of polysemy, based on the
contextual connectivity of words and their semantic similarity through cognitive
expansion.

Metaphorical projection explains polysemy through metaphor. When the meaning

of a word is transferred to another, it is referred to as metaphorical projection. This
process involves the use of one meaning to explain another. The model is based on the
understanding that metaphor is not just a literary technique, but a fundamental mode of
thought that helps us comprehend certain phenomena through the prism of other ideas.

CONCLUSION

The analysis presented in this article underscores the intricate polysemy of

linguistic terms across English, Uzbek, and Russian, highlighting the broader
phenomenon of semantic diversity within languages. This diversity is not arbitrary but
rooted in the fundamental cognitive processes that govern human understanding and
categorization of the world. By employing cognitive models to dissect the polysemy of
linguistic terms, we delve into the nuanced ways in which ambiguity serves not as a
linguistic challenge but as a window into the depth of human cognition.

These models reveal that the polysemous nature of terms is a direct manifestation

of how linguistic scientists, and speakers in general, structure their experiences and
knowledge about language through cognitive frameworks. The radial categorization
model, in particular, provides a compelling lens through which to view this structuring,
demonstrating how from a single, prototypical core, a term can extend into myriad
related meanings through metaphorical and metonymic processes.

Furthermore, the comparative analysis across languages enriches our

understanding by showing that despite the diversity of linguistic structures and cultural
contexts, there are universal cognitive strategies at play in the organization of semantic
fields. This cross-linguistic perspective not only broadens our understanding of polysemy
but also underscores the shared cognitive architecture underlying human language.

The study of the polysemy of linguistic terms through cognitive models offers

profound insights into the ambiguity of terms, reflecting deep-seated cognitive processes.
It highlights how linguistic scientists and speakers alike navigate and articulate their
linguistic and experiential landscapes, contributing to our understanding of language as a
reflection of human cognition and its interaction with the world.

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и лингводидактика

–

Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics

Issue

–

2

№

2 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701

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методической

онлайн

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посвященной Году педагога и наставника в России и Году русского языка в странах
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