“Our language is very literal”
-
Sally Rice
Abstract
For reasons perhaps more sociolinguistic than linguistic, Athapaskan languages rarely borrow in order to expand the lexicon. Instead, they opt for the recycling of a very small set of core stems through recombination or simple reinterpretation (involving metaphor and metonymy). The resulting lexical inventory is striking to cognitive linguists because of the way experiential reality and typologically common construal patterns are routinely exploited for lexical expansion. This paper presents figurative lexicalization strategies in Dene Sųłiné and argues that they are similar to patterns adopted by genetically unrelated languages. Importantly, a deeper understanding of the processes involved in Athapaskan lexicalization may help speakers continue to lexicalize new concepts in indigenous ways, thus helping sustain the health and viability of their languages.
Abstract
For reasons perhaps more sociolinguistic than linguistic, Athapaskan languages rarely borrow in order to expand the lexicon. Instead, they opt for the recycling of a very small set of core stems through recombination or simple reinterpretation (involving metaphor and metonymy). The resulting lexical inventory is striking to cognitive linguists because of the way experiential reality and typologically common construal patterns are routinely exploited for lexical expansion. This paper presents figurative lexicalization strategies in Dene Sųłiné and argues that they are similar to patterns adopted by genetically unrelated languages. Importantly, a deeper understanding of the processes involved in Athapaskan lexicalization may help speakers continue to lexicalize new concepts in indigenous ways, thus helping sustain the health and viability of their languages.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Prologue 1
- Endangered metaphors 15
- “Our language is very literal” 21
- “My heart falls out” 77
- Walking like a porcupine, talking like a raven 103
- Are Nahuatl riddles endangered conceptualizations? 123
- Bodily-based conceptual metaphors in Ashéninka Perené myths and folk stories 145
- The use of a conceptual metaphor in the Siroi language of Papua New Guinea 161
- Kewa figures of speech 185
- Metaphors in Dimasa and Rabha – A comparative study 205
- Numbers that Chumburung people count on 221
- The importance of unveiling conceptual metaphors in a minority language 253
- Antlers as a metaphor of pride 275
- Metaphors of the Finnish Roma in Finnish and Romani 293
- “Bhio’ tu dìreach ga ithe, bha e cho math = You would just eat it, it was so good” 315
- Metaphors of an endangered Low Saxon basis dialect – exemplified by idioms of STUPIDITY and DEATH 339
- Index of conceptual metaphors/metonymies 359
- Name index 361
- Subject index 365
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Prologue 1
- Endangered metaphors 15
- “Our language is very literal” 21
- “My heart falls out” 77
- Walking like a porcupine, talking like a raven 103
- Are Nahuatl riddles endangered conceptualizations? 123
- Bodily-based conceptual metaphors in Ashéninka Perené myths and folk stories 145
- The use of a conceptual metaphor in the Siroi language of Papua New Guinea 161
- Kewa figures of speech 185
- Metaphors in Dimasa and Rabha – A comparative study 205
- Numbers that Chumburung people count on 221
- The importance of unveiling conceptual metaphors in a minority language 253
- Antlers as a metaphor of pride 275
- Metaphors of the Finnish Roma in Finnish and Romani 293
- “Bhio’ tu dìreach ga ithe, bha e cho math = You would just eat it, it was so good” 315
- Metaphors of an endangered Low Saxon basis dialect – exemplified by idioms of STUPIDITY and DEATH 339
- Index of conceptual metaphors/metonymies 359
- Name index 361
- Subject index 365
