A cognitive linguistic analysis of spatial relations expressed by the Hungarian suffixes -ra, -re, -n(-on, -en, -ön), -ról, -ről

Abstract

The study focuses on the meaning of the suffixes -ra, -re, -n (-on/-en/-ön), and -ról, -ről, primarily based on dialectal examples. The theoretical background of the investigation is provided by cognitive linguistics. According to this perspective, the meaning of linguistic elements offers insight into the mental functioning of language, so the meaning of the spatial case suffixes discussed in the study can be linked to linguistic perception. Therefore, the different uses of these suffixes may be attributed to differences in linguistic perception. In cognitive linguistic approaches, the meaning of linguistic elements has already been explored in relation to the expression of spatial structures, but based on standard language examples (see e.g. Kothencz 2007; Páll 1999; Tolcsvai Nagy 2011; 2021). However, the expression of spatial structures can appear differently in dialects. This study demonstrates how the conceptual and semantic processing of spatial relations expressed with the suffixes -ra, -re, -n (-on/-en/-ön), and -ról, -ről is manifested (or deviates) in both standard language and corresponding dialectal data.