Okno w języku i w kulturze, czyli jedno słowo, dwie metody opisu i trzy interpretacje

Abstract

The article presents the logical, linguistic and cultural analysis of the notion of “window”, as a point of departure in reconstructing the meaning of the lexeme “window” which has three groups of features: 1) features creating semantic oppositions of a systemic nature, which include being a hole cut in a wall at the level of human waist, letting in light, and making it possible to ventilate the room and watch what is going on outside; 2) cognitive features, which are reflected in linguistic facts but which are not of a distinctive character and as such not forming a system – for example, the functional resemblance between the window and the eye, a certain shape, and a positive assessment by people; 3) cultural features, a result of the assigning to the window of certain symbolic meanings (e.g. being a sign of human presence or a sign of longing for freedom) and secondary functions (e.g. witnessing courtship situations).