Peeling the Onion: A Cultural Analysis of Bahuvrihi (Exocentric) Compounds in Punjabi

Abstract

The study aims at the analysis of bahuvrihi (exocentric) compounds in Punjabi with special focus on how these compounds arrive at the meaning of 'having X'? In literature exocentric compounds could not grasp the attention of the linguists due to their unpredictable meaning and less productivity, so no theory or model is introduced yet for the analysis of these compounds. Looking at the whole scenario the study with the help of data collected in Punjabi-a New Indo-Aryan language claims that every exocentric compound is based on some cultural conceptualizations and carries a metaphoric meaning. The study with the help of cultural linguistics tries to answer the question how the exocentric compounds arrive at the interpretation 'having X'. The data analysis proves that arriving at the meaning of 'having X' in the compounds is not a mystery, if someone has the linguistic cultural background knowledge.