SECONDARY INTERPRETATION AS A MECHANISM OF IDIOMATIC MEANING FORMATION IN ENGLISH
Keywords:
idiomatic expressions, phraseology, secondary interpretation, conceptual metaphor, cognitive linguistics, semantic reinterpretation, idiom formationAbstract
Idiomatic expressions represent one of the most complex and culturally embedded phenomena in natural languages. Their meanings are often not predictable from the literal interpretation of their lexical components, which makes them particularly important for linguistic research in phraseology, semantics, and cognitive linguistics. This article investigates secondary interpretation as a key mechanism underlying the formation and development of idiomatic meaning in English. Secondary interpretation refers to the process through which literal expressions undergo semantic reinterpretation in particular communicative contexts and become conventionalized idiomatic units within the language system step by step. The study integrates theoretical perspectives from phraseology, cognitive linguistics, and discourse analysis in order to examine how idiomatic meaning emerges through the interaction of conceptual metaphor, metonymy, pragmatic context, and cultural knowledge. The research employs descriptive, semantic, cognitive, and contextual analytical methods to analyze idiomatic expressions as multidimensional linguistic structures. The findings demonstrate that idiomatic expressions are not arbitrary lexical anomalies but systematically motivated constructions that reflect conceptual patterns of human experience. Furthermore, the study shows that idioms frequently originate from literal expressions whose figurative meanings become stabilized through repeated discourse usage and collective linguistic practice. The results contribute to the understanding of phraseological systems and highlight the importance of cognitive and cultural factors in the interpretation of idiomatic language. By examining the mechanisms of secondary interpretation, the study provides a theoretical framework for understanding the dynamic relationship between literal meaning, figurative interpretation, and linguistic conventionalization.Downloads
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