‘Eye’ in the Zamucoan languages

Ciucci, Luca (2022) ‘Eye’ in the Zamucoan languages. In: Baş, Melike, and Kraska-Szlenk, Iwona, (eds.) Embodiment in Cross-Linguistic Studies: The ‘Eye’. Brill's Studies in Language, Cognition and Culture, 31 . Brill, Leiden, Netherlands, pp. 259-284.

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Abstract

The present chapter examines the lexeme ‘eye’ in Zamucoan, a small family of languages traditionally spoken in the Chaco Boreal, in South America. The morphology of ‘eye’, and the development of the lexeme over time are analyzed. All Zamucoan languages are characterized by eye/face polysemy, which is cross-linguistically well-documented. ‘Eye’ occurs in derivations and compounds for parts of the eye, the face and other body-related terms, such as ‘eyeglasses’, ‘mask’ and ‘acne’. In addition, ‘eye’ is the metaphorical source for many referents characterized by a round shape, which can undergo further metaphorical extension. These conceptualizations will be discussed in detail and can follow pathways of semantic change that have been described in the literature. The lexeme ‘eye’ is also found in compounds and idioms that refer to the sense of sight, eye conditions, states of mind, social behaviors and sleep. A condition or a deformation of the eye can serve to insult or mock someone, while the name of some animals refers to eye-related features. Finally, a few ideophones that are specifically used with ‘eye’ are described.

Item ID: 70833
Item Type: Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN: 978-90-04-49859-4
ISSN: 1879-5412
Keywords: Ayoreo, Chaco languages, Chamacoco, Chiquitano, embodiment, morphology, polysemy, semantic change, Zamucoan
Copyright Information: Copyright 2022 by Melike Baş and Iwona Kraska-Szlenk.
Date Deposited: 05 Oct 2022 00:10
FoR Codes: 47 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 4704 Linguistics > 470408 Lexicography and semantics @ 45%
47 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 4704 Linguistics > 470407 Language documentation and description @ 35%
47 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 4704 Linguistics > 470406 Historical, comparative and typological linguistics @ 20%
SEO Codes: 28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280116 Expanding knowledge in language, communication and culture @ 100%
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