Tähendusvõrgustik

Tähendusvõrgustik, meaning "meaning network" in Estonian, is a concept used in linguistics and cognitive science to describe how words and concepts are interconnected in human memory and understanding. It posits that meaning is not stored in isolation but rather as a complex web of associations, where each word or concept activates related ideas. This network allows for flexible and nuanced understanding, enabling us to infer meaning, make connections, and comprehend novel expressions.

The structure of a tähendusvõrgustik is thought to be hierarchical and associative. Concepts with broader meanings, like "animal," might be at higher levels, with more specific concepts like "dog" or "cat" branching off. Associations can be based on various relationships, including synonymy, antonymy, part-whole relationships, and functional connections. For example, the concept "knife" might be associated with "cut," "sharp," and "food."

When we encounter a word, it activates a cluster of related nodes within this network. The more frequently or strongly a connection is used, the more prominent that pathway becomes. This dynamic network explains phenomena like priming, where exposure to one word can influence the processing of a related word, and the ease with which we can understand metaphors and analogies. The tähendusvõrgustik is a fundamental model for understanding semantic memory and the cognitive processes underlying language comprehension and production.