Spatial Conceptualization in Persian within the framework of Natural Semantic Metalanguage (With Focus on the Semantic Prime ‘NEAR’)

The present research is a corpus-based one that aims to analyze conceptualization of ‘space’ in Persian within the framework of Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM). NSM researchers have identified eight semantic primes for the concept of ‘space’ (including WHERE~PLACE, HERE, ABOVE, BELOW, FAR, NEAR, SIDE, INSIDE) that is believed to be lexicalized in all languages. The research is restricted only to NEAR prime in order to analyze representation of the concept of ‘space’ in terms of this prime using corpus and real data. The data are drawn from Hamshahri corpus . The results show that NEAR prime has thirteen exponents in Persian including Nazdik, Kenār, Pish, Nazd, Janb, Baghal, Pahlu, Dam, Lab, Havāli, Javār, Mojāver, Dar Mojāverat-e) each of which has its own conceptual scope and functional range and there are differences in this respect among them.