| Abstract [eng] |
The present paper focuses on the extension of meaning in the English and Lithuanian prepositions of proximity: by, beside, greta, salia and ties. The investigation is based on so- me principles of cognitive linguistics: space conceptualisation and mental space theory. It is argued that the primary physical meaning of the locatives of proximity is rendered through differing spatial relations, which are preserved in meaning extensions. Thus the regional (qualitative) space organisation in the primary meaning of by is preserved in its extended meaning; however, the nature of the relationship between X and Y changes (X supports Y). The geometrical region rendered in the primary meaning of ties is preserved in its meaning extension with some components of the primary meaning bac- kgrounded (Y as a localisation centre) and some foregrounded (Y as a point of tension and/or decision making). The Lithuanian salia focuses on the positional spatial organisation of sequential ele- ments which is preserved in its meaning extension. However, the focus in the extended meaning is on the differences, juxtaposition of X and Y, which was not emphasised in the primary meaning. The English beside and the Lithuanian greta seem to be based on the positional spatial organisation of a row, with elements facing the same direction. In the meaning extension, beside preserves the equal status of the elements; however, their incompatibility is foregrounded. The Lithuanian greta has X and Y of equal status, but their similar nature, closeness is clearly preserved. The cross-linguistic approach allows identifying intricate features of spatial relations expressed by English and Lithuanian prepositions. Cross-linguistically, these prepositions could be characterised by overlapping relations with the meaning of by overlapping with ties, and beside roughly covering the meanings ofsalia and greta. |
