THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
89
UNDERSTANDING PREPOSITIONAL CONSTRUCTIONS THROUGH
PRAGMATIC SURVEY
Ergasheva Gulnoz Alimovna
Senior teacher of Karshi State University
gulnoz2112@mail.ru
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14065170
Abstract
Prepositional constructions often convey complex, context-dependent
meanings in communication, and interpreting them requires more than a
syntactic or semantic approach. This paper investigates the pragmatic aspects of
prepositional constructions, focusing on how context, speaker intent,
inferencing, polysemy, embodied experience, and idiomatic use shape
interpretation. Using examples and relevance theory, this study illustrates how a
pragmatic approach offers a more nuanced understanding of prepositions and
their flexible meanings.
Keywords:
pragmatic approach, implicature,
intention, metaphoric
interpretation, polysemy, inference, construction, language processing
Аннотация
Предложные конструкции часто передают сложные, зависящие от
контекста значения в общении, и для их интерпретации требуется больше,
чем синтаксический или семантический подход. В этой статье
исследуются прагматические аспекты предложных конструкций, уделяя
особое внимание тому, как контекст, намерение говорящего, вывод,
полисемия, воплощенный опыт и идиоматическое использование
формируют интерпретацию. Используя примеры и теорию релевантности,
это исследование иллюстрирует, как прагматический подход предлагает
более тонкое понимание предлогов и их гибких значений.
Ключевые слова:
прагматический подход, импликатура, намерение ,
метафорическая интерпретация, полисемия, вывод, конструкция,
языковая обработка
Introduction
Prepositional constructions play a crucial role in language by expressing
spatial, temporal, and abstract relationships. Traditionally, syntactic and
semantic theories have viewed prepositions primarily as markers of relational
meaning. However, such approaches often overlook how these constructions
vary in meaning based on context and intent, a gap that the pragmatic approach
seeks to fill.
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
90
Pragmatics focuses on how language is used in real-life contexts, considering
factors like context, speaker intention, and shared knowledge. Pragmatic
analysis is particularly relevant for interpreting prepositions, which frequently
display polysemy (multiple meanings) and are used idiomatically. This paper
examines how the pragmatic approach, which accounts for factors beyond
syntax and semantics, enhances our understanding of prepositional
constructions. Specifically, we focus on how context, speaker intent, inferencing,
polysemy, embodiment, and idiomatic expressions influence the interpretation
of prepositional phrases.
Methods
This study used a qualitative approach, analyzing examples of
prepositional constructions to explore the pragmatic factors that shape their
meanings. We gathered examples from natural language use in various contexts,
including conversational excerpts, written examples, and idiomatic expressions
commonly found in English. We organized the analysis around key pragmatic
concepts, specifically:
- Context sensitivity
- Speaker intent and goal-oriented interpretation
- Conversational implicature and inference
- Polysemy and disambiguation based on context
- Embodiment and metaphorical interpretation
- Idiomatic use and relevance theory
Each example was analyzed to illustrate how these pragmatic factors affect
interpretation. This approach allowed us to systematically examine how
different pragmatic principles apply to prepositions and assess their
implications for language understanding.
Results
Analysis revealed that context is a primary factor influencing the meaning of
prepositions. For example:
- “In the garden” vs. “in trouble”: In the first case, "in" indicates spatial
containment, while in the second, it denotes an abstract state. This difference
highlights how the surrounding context dictates whether a preposition is
interpreted literally or metaphorically.
The Role of Speaker Intent
Speaker intent significantly shapes how listeners interpret prepositional
constructions. For instance:
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
91
- “Someone’s at the door” vs. “I left the package at the door”: Although both use
"at the door," the intended meaning shifts based on whether the speaker refers
to a person waiting or a package location. These examples suggest that
prepositional interpretation relies on recognizing the speaker’s communicative
purpose.
Conversational implicature and inference
Prepositions often require inferencing, as listeners must deduce specific
meanings based on shared knowledge. For example:
- “The keys are on the counter”: The phrase "on the counter" implies that the
speaker and listener have a shared understanding of which counter is meant,
demonstrating how inference aids in interpreting prepositions within shared
contexts.
Polysemy and Disambiguation through Pragmatic Clues
The analysis of polysemous prepositions demonstrated that context and
pragmatic cues aid in distinguishing meanings. For example:
- “Over” in “The lamp is over the table” (spatial) vs. “She has control over the
project” (abstract) indicates different relationships based on context. Pragmatics
allows for disambiguation by considering situational cues and speaker intent.
Embodiment and Spatial Metaphors in Pragmatic Interpretation
Many prepositional meanings are metaphorical, reflecting embodied
experiences. For instance:
- “Moving up in the company”: The preposition “up” here suggests career
advancement, relying on a metaphorical interpretation grounded in physical
experience, where “up” is associated with progress or success.
Idiomatic and figurative uses of prepositions
Idiomatic expressions involving prepositions often deviate from literal
interpretation. Examples include:
- “Under the weather” or “in a pickle”: Pragmatic analysis recognizes that such
phrases carry non-literal meanings, with prepositions contributing to their
figurative sense. These idioms often depend on cultural familiarity rather than
compositional logic.
Relevance theory and efficient communication
Finally, relevance theory, which posits that communication seeks to maximize
relevance with minimal effort, was evident in the use of prepositions. For
example:
- “He walked around the corner”: Here, "around" suggests a directional
movement, with the context aiding in visualizing the intended direction.
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
92
Relevance theory implies that speakers use prepositions efficiently to convey
nuanced spatial relationships that listeners interpret with minimal cognitive
effort.
Discussion
The results illustrate that pragmatics significantly enriches our
understanding of prepositional constructions. While syntax and semantics focus
on fixed meanings, pragmatics emphasizes that prepositions function
dynamically, reflecting the interplay between linguistic form and context. Each
examined factor—context, intent, inference, polysemy, embodiment, and
idiomatic use—shows how prepositions are flexible, adjusting meaning based on
situational requirements.
These findings suggest that understanding prepositions requires more
than recognizing static meanings; it involves interpreting subtle, context-based
nuances. Pragmatics bridges this gap by acknowledging the fluidity of
prepositions, allowing for a more holistic view of language comprehension. This
approach is essential for linguistic theories that aim to account for real-life
language use, as it provides insights into how meaning is constructed
interactively.
The pragmatic approach is also valuable for AI and natural language processing
(NLP). Language models that incorporate pragmatics could better handle
polysemous and idiomatic expressions, improving their ability to interpret
prepositional phrases contextually. For example, recognizing idiomatic
meanings like “in a pickle” or interpreting metaphors such as “moving up in the
company” would make language models more robust and accurate.
While this study provides insights into prepositional pragmatics, it primarily
focuses on English examples. Future research could explore how these
pragmatic principles apply across languages, particularly in languages with
different prepositional or spatial systems. Additionally, empirical studies on how
language learners acquire pragmatic uses of prepositions could deepen our
understanding of pragmatic competence.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that the pragmatic approach offers a comprehensive
framework for interpreting prepositional constructions. By focusing on context,
intent, inference, polysemy, embodiment, and idiomatic expressions, pragmatics
enriches our understanding of prepositions, viewing them as flexible, adaptive
tools in communication. Pragmatic analysis shows that prepositions are not
merely structural connectors but are essential in expressing complex, context-
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
93
dependent meanings. The findings have implications for linguistics, language
learning, and AI, suggesting that integrating pragmatic principles could enhance
the interpretative power of both human and machine language processing.
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