COGNITIVE MECHANISMS OF COMPOUND POLYSEMY

Compound words constitute an essential part of vocabulary development in many languages and often demonstrate polysemy, where a single compound form acquires multiple related meanings. This article examines the cognitive mechanisms underlying compound polysemy from the perspective of cognitive linguistics. The study focuses on conceptual metaphor, metonymy, conceptual blending, and semantic extension as key processes contributing to the emergence of multiple meanings in compound words. Through the analysis of selected English compounds such as blackmail, greenhouse, laptop, and brainstorm, the research demonstrates how human cognition shapes semantic development. The findings suggest that compound polysemy arises from dynamic conceptual interactions and reflects speakers’ cognitive abilities to structure experience and create meaning. The article contributes to the understanding of semantic evolution in compound formation and highlights the importance of cognitive mechanisms in lexical development.