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Semantic Structure of the German Spatial Particle über

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2007

Olga Liamkina
Olga Liamkina
Affiliation:
Georgetown University
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Abstract

This paper analyzes the semantic structure of the German spatial particle über based on the principles of Cognitive Linguistics. By applying the Polysemy Network Model (Tyler and Evans 2003), thirteen distinct senses of über are identified and conceptual connections between them are elucidated. Furthermore, the semantic structure of English over (the closest counterpart of über) established by Tyler and Evans is expanded, and additional criteria for determining the primary and other distinct senses are proposed. Finally, the network of senses for über is applied to its functions as a separable or inseparable prefix in an attempt to provide insights into the issues of prefix (in)separability in German and to account for the meaning of über in a unified manner.

Type
ARTICLES
Information
Journal of Germanic Linguistics , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , June 2007 , pp. 115 - 160
Copyright
© 2007 Society for Germanic Linguistics

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