The concept of ‘glory’ is one of the most significant themes in the Hebrew Bible, lying at the heart of God’s self-disclosure in biblical revelation. Yet, while the concept has received theological treatment, and while various relevant Hebrew roots have individually benefited from linguistic survey, the group of lexemes surrounding this concept is as yet untouched by a comprehensive semantic study. Through indepth semantic study this thesis offers a clearer understanding of the interrelations and differences between the Classical Hebrew lexemes centring around the concept of ‘glory’. The first chapter opens with a critical examination of both structuralist and cognitivist approaches to semantic research, focussing particularly on their historical use and current applicability to the study of ancient languages. It outlines the superior claims of cognitive semantics accurately to model patterns of language usage, addressing the challenges inherent in the application of such an approach to ancient language. The proposed methodology is characterised as cognitive in nature, focussed on both lexical interrelations (relational) and the internal composition of lexemes (decompositional), exhaustive in relating lexemes to each other point by point, and based on the entirety of the Classical Hebrew corpus. Finally, this chapter discusses issues relating to the limited, diachronic and fragmentary nature of the Classical Hebrew corpus. The second chapter delineates the boundaries of the semantic domain of כבוד . It opens with a methodological discussion introducing parallel terms and word pairs as valuable tools in the objective identification of semantically related terms. Proposing the theory that members of a semantic domain will regularly co-occur, it systematically analyses firstly the extant word associations of כבוד itself and secondly of those lexemes recurring in association with it, accepting or rejecting each as a member of its semantic domain on the basis of word associations. This process results in the identification of eleven lexemes as members of the semantic domain of The concept of ‘glory’ is one of the most significant themes in the Hebrew Bible, lying at the heart of God’s self-disclosure in biblical revelation. Yet, while the concept has received theological treatment, and while various relevant Hebrew roots have individually benefited from linguistic survey, the group of lexemes surrounding this concept is as yet untouched by a comprehensive semantic study. Through indepth semantic study this thesis offers a clearer understanding of the interrelations and differences between the Classical Hebrew lexemes centring around the concept of ‘glory’. The first chapter opens with a critical examination of both structuralist and cognitivist approaches to semantic research, focussing particularly on their historical use and current applicability to the study of ancient languages. It outlines the superior claims of cognitive semantics accurately to model patterns of language usage, addressing the challenges inherent in the application of such an approach to ancient language. The proposed methodology is characterised as cognitive in nature, focussed on both lexical interrelations (relational) and the internal composition of lexemes (decompositional), exhaustive in relating lexemes to each other point by point, and based on the entirety of the Classical Hebrew corpus. Finally, this chapter discusses issues relating to the limited, diachronic and fragmentary nature of the Classical Hebrew corpus. The second chapter delineates the boundaries of the semantic domain of כבוד . It opens with a methodological discussion introducing parallel terms and word pairs as valuable tools in the objective identification of semantically related terms. Proposing the theory that members of a semantic domain will regularly co-occur, it systematically analyses firstly the extant word associations of כבוד itself and secondly of those lexemes recurring in association with it, accepting or rejecting each as a member of its semantic domain on the basis of word associations. This process results in the identification of eleven lexemes as members of the semantic domain of The concept of ‘glory’ is one of the most significant themes in the Hebrew Bible, lying at the heart of God’s self-disclosure in biblical revelation. Yet, while the concept has received theological treatment, and while various relevant Hebrew roots have individually benefited from linguistic survey, the group of lexemes surrounding this concept is as yet untouched by a comprehensive semantic study. Through indepth semantic study this thesis offers a clearer understanding of the interrelations and differences between the Classical Hebrew lexemes centring around the concept of ‘glory’. The first chapter opens with a critical examination of both structuralist and cognitivist approaches to semantic research, focussing particularly on their historical use and current applicability to the study of ancient languages. It outlines the superior claims of cognitive semantics accurately to model patterns of language usage, addressing the challenges inherent in the application of such an approach to ancient language. The proposed methodology is characterised as cognitive in nature, focussed on both lexical interrelations (relational) and the internal composition of lexemes (decompositional), exhaustive in relating lexemes to each other point by point, and based on the entirety of the Classical Hebrew corpus. Finally, this chapter discusses issues relating to the limited, diachronic and fragmentary nature of the Classical Hebrew corpus. The second chapter delineates the boundaries of the semantic domain of כבוד . It opens with a methodological discussion introducing parallel terms and word pairs as valuable tools in the objective identification of semantically related terms. Proposing the theory that members of a semantic domain will regularly co-occur, it systematically analyses firstly the extant word associations of כבוד itself and secondly of those lexemes recurring in association with it, accepting or rejecting each as a member of its semantic domain on the basis of word associations. This process results in the identification of eleven lexemes as members of the semantic domain of כבוד.

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This study investigates the polysemy of the preposition מִן (min) in Biblical Hebrew. The complexity relating to the senses of this preposition has long been recognised, but existing sources differ about the primary sense of מִן (min), as well as the delimitation of the derived senses. In order to provide a more systematic account of the senses of מִן (min) the principled polysemy approach, which was developed by Tyler and Evans (2003), was employed. This methodology is grounded in the theoretical framework of cognitive semantics. The criteria provided for determining the primary sense point to a sense in which מִן (min) indicates both locational source and separation. These two elements are both present in the primary sense. By applying criteria for determining distinct senses, ten additional usages of מִן (min) were identified, namely, material source, partitive, cause, agent, origin, position, exception, comparison, negative consequence, and time. It was shown that all these senses are related to the primary sense in a substantiated way. A semantic network for the preposition מִן (min) was proposed in which it was shown that half of the senses are more related to the source element in the primary sense and the other half to the separation element of the primary sense. / MA (Semitic Languages), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study investigates the polysemy of the preposition מִן (min) in Biblical Hebrew. The complexity relating to the senses of this preposition has long been recognised, but existing sources differ about the primary sense of מִן (min), as well as the delimitation of the derived senses. In order to provide a more systematic account of the senses of מִן (min) the principled polysemy approach, which was developed by Tyler and Evans (2003), was employed. This methodology is grounded in the theoretical framework of cognitive semantics. The criteria provided for determining the primary sense point to a sense in which מִן (min) indicates both locational source and separation. These two elements are both present in the primary sense. By applying criteria for determining distinct senses, ten additional usages of מִן (min) were identified, namely, material source, partitive, cause, agent, origin, position, exception, comparison, negative consequence, and time. It was shown that all these senses are related to the primary sense in a substantiated way. A semantic network for the preposition מִן (min) was proposed in which it was shown that half of the senses are more related to the source element in the primary sense and the other half to the separation element of the primary sense. / MA (Semitic Languages), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

<p>This essay examines the differences and similarities, weaknesses and strengths of the two Cognitive Semantic theories Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Principled Polysemy Approach to Meaning Analysis. To illustrate the two theories, the Swedish verb-particle construction "gå upp" is examined and analyzed accordingly. The results showed differences in the number of polysemous meaning found. The methodological evaluation showed that the differences in the underlying ideas concerning meaning-construction behind these two theories make them incompatible.</p>

Thesis (PhD (Ancient Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study the conceptualization of love or affecion in the Old Testament is investigated. The most prototypical Biblical Hebrew lexeme for affection, namely אהב , forms the focus of the study. It is hypothesized that the analysis of אהב in terms of its valency and the conceptual frames associated with each of its valency patterns will contribute to a more informative lexicographical description of אהב . Since אהב forms part of a much larger semantic field of lexemes that can convey the attitude of affection, it is neccessary to study these lexemes as well. While the first chapter introduces the topic under investigation, i.e. a study of lexemes of affection, the second chapter aims at demarcating the list of lexemes of affection that needs to be considered. This list amounts to fifteen lexemes in total; fourteen of which can belong to the domain of affection, and one antonym. In Chapter 3 the methodology of the current study is explained. The researcher advocates a Cognitive Linguistic approach. Renier de Blois employed Cognitive Linguistics for his model which is aimed towards compiling the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew. While his model is used as starting point in the present study, some more areas of Cognitive Linguistics are identified that could assist us to refine the model of De Blois. These areas include prototype theory, semantic potential, the notion of radial networks, as well as conceptual frames. Chapter 4 consists of a detailed study of אהב in all its occurrences in the Old Testament, while the remainder of the lexemes of affection as well as its antonym are studied in Chapter 5. In the concluding chapter, Chapter 6, an exposition of the findings is given. This thesis ends with a concise summary of אהב in which all conceptual frames and scripture references where the אהב appear are given. This is followed by a schematic presentation of the lexemes of affection as they occur in relation to the prototypical sense(s) of אהב. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word die konseptualisering van liefde of affeksie in die Ou Testament ondersoek. Die mees prototipiese Bybels-Hebreeuse lekseem vir affeksie, naamlik אהב , is die fokus van die studie. Dit word veronderstel dat die analise van אהב in terme van die lekseem se valensie en die konseptuele raamwerke wat met die valensie patrone geassosieer word, sal bydra tot „n meer informatiewe leksikografiese beskrywing van אהב . Aangesien אהב deel vorm van „n veel groter semantiese veld van lekseme wat die houding van affeksie beskryf, is dit nodig dat hierdie lekseme ook bestudeer word. Terwyl die eerste hoofstuk die tema van die huidige ondersoek inlei, naamlik die bestudering van lekseme van affeksie in die Bybels-Hebreeuse teks, is die tweede hoofstuk daarop gerig om die lys van lekseme van affeksie vir die ondersoek af te baken. Hiedie lys bestaan uit vyftien lekseme altesaam; veertien lekseme wat deel uitmaak van die domein van affeksie, en een antoniem. In Hoofstuk 3 word die metodologie van die huidige studie uiteengesit. Die navorser staan „n Kognitiewe Linguistiese benadering voor. Renier de Blois het Kognitiewe Linguistiek aangewend vir sy model wat daarop gerig is om die Semantic Dictionary for Biblical Hebrew saam te stel. Alhoewel sy model as beginpunt vir die huidige studie gebruik word, is daar sommige areas binne die veld van Kognitiewe Linguistiek wat aangewend sou kon word om De Blois se model te verfyn. Hierdie areas sluit prototipe teorie, semantiese potensiaal, die idee van straalvormige netwerke, asook konseptuele raamwerke in. Hoofstuk 4 bestaan uit „n gedetailleerde studie van אהב in al sy voorkomste in die Ou Testament, terwyl die res van die lekseme van affeksie sowel as die antoniem in Hoofstuk 5 bestudeer word. In die slot hoofstuk, Hoofstuk 6, is daar „n uiteensetting van die bevindinge. Die tesis eindig met „n kort opsomming van אהב waarin al die konseptuele raamwerke en skrifverwysings waarbinne אהב voorkom, gegee word. Daarna volg „n skematiese voorstelling van die lekseme van affeksie na aanleiding van hul voorkomste in verhouding tot die prototipiese betekenis(se) van אהב.

O presente trabalho apresenta e desenvolve conceitos oriundos da Linguística Cognitiva para investigar os aspectos cognitivos da codificação das relações causais introduzidas por conectores oracionais da língua alemã: da, denn e weil. Para tanto, este trabalho apropriou-se do aparato teórico e metodológico desenvolvido por Pander Maat & Degand (2001) e que concebe a causalidade não como uma relação única, mas como uma categoria gradual que engloba diferentes níveis de conexão. Diante disso, desenvolveram-se duas atividades elementares ao longo do trabalho. Em primeiro lugar, o levantamento bibliográfico da teoria em torno de diferentes abordagens à temática da causalidade que serviram de base para a discussão entretida nos dois capítulos iniciais. Em segundo lugar, a análise empírica de ocorrências de cada um dos conectores a partir dos métodos desenvolvidos por Pander Maat & Degand (2001), a fim de replicar seu estudo e investigar de que maneira o gradiente de relações causais pode contribuir para o estudo da causalidade na língua alemã. Ao contrapor as abordagens desenvolvidas nas tradições formalista e funcionalista de análise linguística, o presente trabalho procurou argumentar que a investigação adequada dos fenômenos relacionados à causalidade seja desenvolvidas no escopo da Linguística Cognitiva e, no caso específico desta pesquisa, no aparato teórico da Gramática Cognitiva, de Langacker (1987, 1991, 2008), já que se trata de pesquisa envolvendo aspectos da codificação gramatical da causalidade. Numa segunda etapa da discussão teórica, estabeleceram-se as bases para a pesquisa da causalidade no escopo da Gramática Cognitiva. Argumentou-se que, para o estudo bem-sucedido da causalidade, são necessários três componentes básicos: uma base conceitual sobre a qual se definem os parâmetros essenciais da experiência causal, um sujeito de consciência, ou seja, um conceituador capaz de estabelecer relações de causa a partir da base, e um conjunto de operações de perspectivação conceitual (construal operations) que determinam as formas de acesso à base conceitual. A interação entre esses três componentes determinam as diferentes categorias relacionais que compõem o gradiente causal. São elas: relação causal involuntária, relação causal voluntária, relação epistêmica causal, relação epistêmica não causal, relação de motivação entre atos de fala e relação de paráfrase entre atos de fala. A realização da parte prática do trabalho desenvolveu-se a partir da aplicação do teste de paráfrases proposto pelos autores do estudo original. As paráfrases foram adaptadas para servirem à língua alemã e suas particularidades. Do teste de paráfrase resultou que os conectores da e weil concorrem no âmbito das relações causais voluntárias. As relações epistêmicas causais são codificadas por todos os três conectores e seus usos se diferenciam a partir de diferentes organizações da estrutura informacional e do gerenciamento comunicativo. As relações epistêmicas não causais são introduzidas por da e denn, enquanto somente denn introduz relações de motivação entre atos de fala. As relações das extremidades do gradiente (causais involuntárias e paráfrase entre atos de fala) não são codificadas por meio dos conectores analisados / This master thesis introduces and develops concepts from Cognitive Linguistics to investigate the cognitive aspects of the encoding of causal relations introduced by the following sentence connectors in German: da, denn and weil. Therefore, this work took the theoretical and methodological apparatus developed by Pander Maat & Degand (2001), which conceive causality not as one single relation, but as a gradual category that encompasses dierent levels of connection. Thus, two basic research activities were established. Firstly, the literature survey of the theory around dierent approaches to the issue of causality that formed the basis for the discussion entertained in the first and second chapter. Secondly, the empirical analysis of occurrences of each of the connectors employed the methods developed by Pander Maat & Degand (2001) in order to replicate their study and thus to investigate how the gradient of causal relations might contribute to the study of causality in the German language. By opposing the approaches developed in the formalist and functionalist traditions of linguistic analysis, this study sought to argue that the proper investigation of phenomena related to causality are developed in the scope of Cognitive Linguistics and, in the specific case of this research, the theoretical apparatus of Cognitive Grammar, by Langacker (1987, 1991, 2008), since it comes to research involving aspects of grammatical encoding of causality. On a second phase, the theoretical discussion set up the foundation for the research of causality in the scope of Cognitive Grammar. It was argued that three basic components are needed to the successful study of causality: a conceptual base on which the essential parameters of the causal experience are defined, a subject of consciousness, i.e., a conceptualizer capable of establishing causal relations, and set of construal operations which determine the forms of access to the conceptual base. The interaction between these three components determines the dierent relational categories that comprise the causal gradient. They are: nonvolitional causality, volitional causality, epistemic causal relations, noncausal epistemic relations, relations between speech acts I (motivation) and relations between speech acts II (paraphrase). The empirical research was developed by means of a paraphrase test, which was proposed by the authors of the original study. Paraphrases were adapted to serve the German language and its peculiarities. The paraphrase test shown that the connectors da and weil compete under the voluntary causal relationships. Causal epistemic relations are encoded by all three connectors and their uses dier due to several possible organizations in the information structure and the communicative management strategies they mobilize in their usage events. The noncausal epistemic relations are only introduced by the denn. Moreover, denn also introduces relations between speech acts (motivation). The relations of the both ends of the gradient (nonvolitional causality and paraphrase of speech acts) are not encoded by means of the connectors analyzed

Este trabalho traz uma comparação das posposições de caso NI, DE e WO da língua japonesa com preposições do português, baseada no aparato teórico da semântica cognitiva, e centrada nas estruturas semânticas das posposições de caso desenhadas por Moriyama (2005). Como resultado, elaboramos tabelas com as diversas preposições que podem ser mapeadas em cada uma das várias acepções das posposições estudadas. Cremos que este trabalho traga contribuições para o ensino do japonês a aprendizes lusófonos, bem como para a prática da tradução entre as línguas japonesa e portuguesa. / This work contains a comparison between the Japanese case markers NI, DE and WO, and Portuguese prepositions, based on the theoretic framework of cognitive semantics and centered on semantic structures of Japanese case markers as described by Moriyama (2005). As a result, we have made tables with the several prepositions that can be mapped into each one of the several senses of the case markers studied here. We believe that this work brings contributions for Japanese language teaching to Portuguese-speaking students, as well as to the practice of translation between Japanese and Portuguese.

Propusemo-nos, nesta Dissertação de Mestrado, a analisar a unidade mínima de significação da Etnoterminologia no léxico de Grande Sertão: Veredas, em sua vertente etnoliterária, para compreender como a realidade fenomênica é refletida na axiologia do grupo sócio-linguístico-cultural do sertanejo dos gerais. Analisamos, em suas diferentes etapas, o processo de conceptualização de alguns vocábulos-termos de algumas denominações da obra. Tal processo se dá no percurso gerativo da enunciação e é constituído por conjuntos de semas conceptuais, os noemas. A análise linguística desvelou como as denominações, produto do fazer persuasivo do sujeito enunciador, originam-se nas qualidades conceituais da cognição e são materializadas em traços semânticos específicos, ou nos conceitos de cada unidade lexical, integrando o processo de modalização. Pudemos observar que o conceptus, em sentido amplo, parte, em sua trajetória do natural, em direção ao cultural, e se expande com o acréscimo de semas conceptuais formadores que se organizam em dois conjuntos: os de natureza cultural e ideológica e aqueles de natureza modalizante e intencional. Guimarães Rosa transplantou suas pesquisas linguísticas para seus textos, ao abrigo das denominações, e realçou significantes amalgamados a conceitos portadores de exclusividades semânticas que se erigem na própria especificidade que nomeia os seres, resultado dos conhecimentos herdados e amealhados ao longo de gerações. É nessa exclusividade semântica que a fronteira existente entre o vocábulo e o termo das linguagens de especialidades torna-se densa em seu romance, e é, nesses limites, que se apresenta o vocábulo-termo, no qual o autor encontra a palavra vigorosa, profunda e não desgastada pelo uso impróprio. Verificamos, sobretudo, a partir da análise das palavras escolhidas por nós, a gênese do vocábulo-termo nas especifidades linguísticas regionais e que desenha etnicamente a identidade de um grupo. Sabemos que em todas as obras de Rosa se verifica, em maior ou menor proporção, o uso das virtualidades que o sistema linguístico oferece aos seus falantes, e a abordagem dos aspectos sociolinguísticos, convergindo para o semantismo inusitado do vocábulo-termo rosiano, colaborou, do nosso ponto de vista, para melhor caracterizá-las em sua vertente etnoliterária. A análise dos vocábulos-termos de Grande Sertão: Veredas evidencia o processo de ressemantização da palavra usada na língua geral. Ou seja, novos sememas enriquecem a unidade léxica e, também, a experiência de quem se aproxima do texto, ao realizar-se em aspectos referenciais, pragmáticos e simbólicos, constituindo-se, simultaneamente, em documento semântico e social de uma cultura. As palavras de uso em língua geral se constituem em signos-símbolos em Grande Sertão: Veredas. / In this Master´s Dissertation we have proposed to analyze the minimal unit of meaning in the Ethno-terminology in the lexicon of Grande Sertão: Veredas, in its ethno-literary aspect, in order to understand how the reality of phenomenon is reflected in the axiology of the social-linguistic-cultural group of the sertanejo dos gerais. We have analyzed, in its different stages, the process of conceptualization of some word-terms of some of the work´s denominations. Such process takes place in the generative trajectory of enunciation and is constituted by groups of conceptual semes, the nemes. The linguistic analysis revealed how the denominations, result of the persuasiveness of the announcer subject, originate in the conceptual qualities of cognition and are materialized in specific semantic traits, or in the concepts of each lexical unit, integrating the modalization process. We could observe that the conceptus, in its broad meaning, moves from its natural trajectory towards the cultural, and expands with the addition of conceptual semes which get organized in two groups: the ones with a cultural and ideological nature and the ones with a modalizing and intentional nature. Guimarães Rosa transplanted his linguistic research to his texts, to the protection of denominations, and enhanced the significants tied to concepts bearing semantic exclusivities which build from the specificity that names the beings, result of the knowledge inherited and grouped over generations. It is in this semantic exclusivity that the frontier that exists between word and term of the languages of specialities become dense in his novel, and it is, in those boundaries, that the word-term presents itself, in which the author finds words which are vigorous, profound and not wasted by inappropriate use. We have verified, especially, in the analysis of words chosen by us, the genesis of the word-term in the regional linguistic specificities and which draws ethnically the identity of a group. We are aware that in every of Rosa´s work, in a smaller or bigger proportion, we verify the use of the virtuality that the linguistic system offers to its speakers, and the approach of the sociolinguistic aspects, converging to an unused semantics of the word-term in Rosa, which collaborated, in our point of view, to better characterize them in this ethno literary aspect. The analysis of the word-terms in Grande Sertão: Veredas demonstrates a resemantic process of the word used in the general language. That is, new sememes enrich the lexical unit, and also, the experience of those who approach the text, in referential, pragmatic and symbolic aspects, constituting, simultaneously, a semantic and social document of a culture. The words in use in general language constitute symbol-signs in Grande Sertão: Veredas.

Propusemo-nos, nesta Dissertação de Mestrado, a analisar a unidade mínima de significação da Etnoterminologia no léxico de Grande Sertão: Veredas, em sua vertente etnoliterária, para compreender como a realidade fenomênica é refletida na axiologia do grupo sócio-linguístico-cultural do sertanejo dos gerais. Analisamos, em suas diferentes etapas, o processo de conceptualização de alguns vocábulos-termos de algumas denominações da obra. Tal processo se dá no percurso gerativo da enunciação e é constituído por conjuntos de semas conceptuais, os noemas. A análise linguística desvelou como as denominações, produto do fazer persuasivo do sujeito enunciador, originam-se nas qualidades conceituais da cognição e são materializadas em traços semânticos específicos, ou nos conceitos de cada unidade lexical, integrando o processo de modalização. Pudemos observar que o conceptus, em sentido amplo, parte, em sua trajetória do natural, em direção ao cultural, e se expande com o acréscimo de semas conceptuais formadores que se organizam em dois conjuntos: os de natureza cultural e ideológica e aqueles de natureza modalizante e intencional. Guimarães Rosa transplantou suas pesquisas linguísticas para seus textos, ao abrigo das denominações, e realçou significantes amalgamados a conceitos portadores de exclusividades semânticas que se erigem na própria especificidade que nomeia os seres, resultado dos conhecimentos herdados e amealhados ao longo de gerações. É nessa exclusividade semântica que a fronteira existente entre o vocábulo e o termo das linguagens de especialidades torna-se densa em seu romance, e é, nesses limites, que se apresenta o vocábulo-termo, no qual o autor encontra a palavra vigorosa, profunda e não desgastada pelo uso impróprio. Verificamos, sobretudo, a partir da análise das palavras escolhidas por nós, a gênese do vocábulo-termo nas especifidades linguísticas regionais e que desenha etnicamente a identidade de um grupo. Sabemos que em todas as obras de Rosa se verifica, em maior ou menor proporção, o uso das virtualidades que o sistema linguístico oferece aos seus falantes, e a abordagem dos aspectos sociolinguísticos, convergindo para o semantismo inusitado do vocábulo-termo rosiano, colaborou, do nosso ponto de vista, para melhor caracterizá-las em sua vertente etnoliterária. A análise dos vocábulos-termos de Grande Sertão: Veredas evidencia o processo de ressemantização da palavra usada na língua geral. Ou seja, novos sememas enriquecem a unidade léxica e, também, a experiência de quem se aproxima do texto, ao realizar-se em aspectos referenciais, pragmáticos e simbólicos, constituindo-se, simultaneamente, em documento semântico e social de uma cultura. As palavras de uso em língua geral se constituem em signos-símbolos em Grande Sertão: Veredas. / In this Master´s Dissertation we have proposed to analyze the minimal unit of meaning in the Ethno-terminology in the lexicon of Grande Sertão: Veredas, in its ethno-literary aspect, in order to understand how the reality of phenomenon is reflected in the axiology of the social-linguistic-cultural group of the sertanejo dos gerais. We have analyzed, in its different stages, the process of conceptualization of some word-terms of some of the work´s denominations. Such process takes place in the generative trajectory of enunciation and is constituted by groups of conceptual semes, the nemes. The linguistic analysis revealed how the denominations, result of the persuasiveness of the announcer subject, originate in the conceptual qualities of cognition and are materialized in specific semantic traits, or in the concepts of each lexical unit, integrating the modalization process. We could observe that the conceptus, in its broad meaning, moves from its natural trajectory towards the cultural, and expands with the addition of conceptual semes which get organized in two groups: the ones with a cultural and ideological nature and the ones with a modalizing and intentional nature. Guimarães Rosa transplanted his linguistic research to his texts, to the protection of denominations, and enhanced the significants tied to concepts bearing semantic exclusivities which build from the specificity that names the beings, result of the knowledge inherited and grouped over generations. It is in this semantic exclusivity that the frontier that exists between word and term of the languages of specialities become dense in his novel, and it is, in those boundaries, that the word-term presents itself, in which the author finds words which are vigorous, profound and not wasted by inappropriate use. We have verified, especially, in the analysis of words chosen by us, the genesis of the word-term in the regional linguistic specificities and which draws ethnically the identity of a group. We are aware that in every of Rosa´s work, in a smaller or bigger proportion, we verify the use of the virtuality that the linguistic system offers to its speakers, and the approach of the sociolinguistic aspects, converging to an unused semantics of the word-term in Rosa, which collaborated, in our point of view, to better characterize them in this ethno literary aspect. The analysis of the word-terms in Grande Sertão: Veredas demonstrates a resemantic process of the word used in the general language. That is, new sememes enrich the lexical unit, and also, the experience of those who approach the text, in referential, pragmatic and symbolic aspects, constituting, simultaneously, a semantic and social document of a culture. The words in use in general language constitute symbol-signs in Grande Sertão: Veredas.