kavramyla

Kavramyla is a theoretical construct in cognitive linguistics used to describe a mode of concept integration in which a core concept is cohesively bound to its contextual frame, yielding a unified mental representation that guides comprehension and recall. The term combines the Turkish root kavram, meaning concept, with the suffix -yla, meaning with or together with, and was proposed in the academic literature of the 2010s to capture a pattern of meaning construction observed across languages.

It is distinguished from simple composition or metaphor by emphasizing the inseparability of the core concept and its context in mental representation. In kavramyla, contextual modifiers—such as attributes, relations, or situational cues—are not merely attached to the concept but are integrated into a single cognitive package.

Proponents argue that kavramyla helps explain rapid interpretation of phrases and scenes, improved memory for concept-rich material, and cross-linguistic consistency in concept formation. It is often discussed in relation to theories of conceptual blending and frames, but it maintains a distinct focus on bound integration rather than multi-source blending.

Example: the phrase "concept of justice" triggers kavramyla where the notion of justice is automatically integrated with legal, moral, and social cues present in discourse, producing a stable mental representation that shapes subsequent inference.

Critics note difficulties in operationalizing kavramyla in experiments and relate it to broader frameworks; it remains a theoretical construct subject to empirical testing and debate.

See also: conceptual blending; frame semantics; semantic integration; cognitive linguistics.