Meaning potentials and the interaction between lexis and contexts

This article is a contribution to theory of lexical semantics and situated sense-making which aims at explaining how meaning constituted in across contexts, dialogical interplay between resources aspects situations. We propose that the words or grammatical constructions are not just abstract schemas, be filled by pragmatic enrichment uses. Nor associated with simple lists different usages. Instead, we potentials . The basic assumptions such linguistic provide language users semantic understand, say mean specific things particular usage events, this always involves an contextual factors. study reported here exercise empirical pragmatics, using authentic data from use. explore potential Swedish adjective ny ‘new’ examining its construction, x-och-x (‘x-and-x’: English roughly ‘x, it depends on what you x’). X - och-x conventionalised (largely) conversational practice, activate negotiate parts word x , as order establish local it. In doing so, they exploit their knowledge can mean, performing seen users´ analyses communicative interaction. Our also read Construction Grammar, attempting develop more dynamic, interactional interpretation than has previously been put forward literature.