Adjective prefixes denoting the location of the vertical: the locativecomponent in meanings

Signs of the locative situation that adjectival prefix над- and под- express are described. Prefixesmay reflect a strictly vertical arrangement of objects, a higher / lower position, or a location by theobject. The function of the attribute "contact" in a locative situation is under consideration. The role ofthe preposition над in the reflection of the contact localization is specified. Adjective prefixes над- andна- compete as means of nomination of contact localization. Most regularly this fact is observed in theadjectives, which are involved in modelling space as symmetric horizontally. If an object can be locatedboth above and below X, then the presence / absence of contact is not taken into account. Toname an object above X in contact with it, we use the prefix над- rather than на-. The prefix над- isused in cases where Y is incorporated into the surface of X or does not rise significantly above it.Thus, the sign of "no contact" is not included in the content of the situation the prefix над- names. Acrucial feature of the situation when we choose prefixes is the location of the main part of the objectabove X. Meanings "above X" and "on the surface of X, above it" are variants of the same meanings,for in these cases, the sign of the vertical angle serves as an important and dominant over all others. Ifa dictionary entry with adjectives meaning "located on the surface of X" and "located above the surfaceof X" are differentiated, we qualify the dictionary definition as a too detailed one. The над- andпод- areas of denotation are absolutely identical in material space. This fact suggests the antonymy ofthe prefixes. They match by varying the meanings "above / below X". This similarity is reflected 1) inthe range of options, 2) in the combinability with the same nouns, 3) in the similar conceptualisation ofthe objects the nouns denote. Other locative situations (higher / lower on the outside / inside, farther /closer) are conceptualised as topologically identical due to the fact that they are equally understood.The categories "top" and "bottom" are involved in this cognitive process.

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