Article Published In Vol.6 (Jan-Feb-2018)

Cognitive Mapping of the Noun Domains When Zero-deriving Proper from Common Nouns in Macedonian

Author : Marjana Vaneva

In zero-derivation, from element that belongs to a certain lexical (sub)category, by adding a zero-derivational affix, and with allowed inflectional modifications, a new lexeme is created, with absolutely the same form; similar, expanded meaning; but belonging to a different (sub)part of speech. Thus, the zero-derivational affix ensures the same (derivational) form of the new lexeme; with its own function, position, and distribution in the sentence, therefore representing a different word (sub)class; while the similar, connected, expanded meaning is achieved by cognitive mapping of the two lexemes’ domains. In Macedonian, this very productive process of zero-derivation from common to proper noun is conducted by cognitively mapping the different subcategory domains of the noun class, by using metaphor and association links to semantically connect the lexemes and thus zero-derive a proper noun from a common one. E.g. ruža common n.→ Ruža proper n. portrays the process when, by knowing the characteristics of the common noun – a pretty, nice-smelling flower, the hearer is expected to understand the similarity with the proper noun – the person named as Ruža will be/is as pretty and pleasant as the flower. This paper analyses the cognitive approach when zero-deriving Macedonian proper nouns from common ones.

Keywords: Cognition, Zero-derivation, Proper Nouns, Common Nouns, Macedonian.