Cognitive Mechanisms of Secondary Nomination (in the Context of O. O. Potebnia’s Work “On the Connection of Certain Representations in Language”)
Abstract
The article explores the cognitive mechanisms underlying secondary nomination in Slavic languages, drawing on the theoretical framework proposed by O. O. Potebnia in his work “On the Connection of Certain Representations in Language.” The relevance of the study lies in the need to deepen the understanding of semantic development processes and to reveal the internal motivation of so-called etymologically “opaque” words. The aim of the research is to identify cognitive links that determine the formation of secondary nominations, based on the analysis of Slavic lexemes derived from the roots bab- and did-/ded- in their object-related meanings.
The study employs a systemic cognitive-onomasiological approach, which allows lexical units to be analyzed within semantic fields and series, thus revealing regular patterns of semantic evolution. A wide range of linguistic data from various Slavic languages and dialects is examined, demonstrating that these lexemes frequently acquire meanings associated with objects characterized by verticality, solidity, and function as support.
The analysis shows that the common semantic component of these secondary meanings is the notion of a “vertically oriented solid object.” This feature can be interpreted through the ancient conceptual link “old age – tree – verticality,” as described by Potebnia. It is argued that this link reflects a stable cognitive model or “habit of thought” that governs semantic derivation processes. The findings demonstrate that even lexemes perceived as etymologically obscure may possess internal semantic motivation shaped by cognitive mechanisms.
The results confirm the effectiveness of the cognitive approach in studying semantic change and highlight its potential for further research into universal and language-specific mechanisms of secondary nomination in Slavic languages.
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