Sulla motivazione semantica dei somatonimi lituani di eredità indoeuropea
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6093/2281-6585/11234Abstract
The paper deals with Lithuanian lexemes related to the semantic sphere of the human body. In this study, the oldest portion of the lexicon is analysed, i.e. somatonyms of Indo-European heritage. The aim of the research is double fold: firstly, I attempt at reconstructing the internal structure of the lexemes under consideration, i.e., bringing to light the morphological means involved in their coinage (naming act), as well as their semantic content. The second task is to re-establish the underlying (and no longer actual) semantic motivation, i.e., the semantic relationship between lexical and functional motivators recognizable in the structure of the somatonyms. The analysis makes it possible to distinguish between diachronically unmotivated (or “primary”) and motivated (or “secondary) somatonyms. The latter can be assigned to three motivational models: descriptive, functional, and relational. Identifying the conceptual properties of each body-part that were selected as motivators helps understanding what cognitive principles have presided over the structuring of this portion of the lexicon.