otsetähenduses

Otsetähenduses is a term used in Estonian linguistics to describe a semantic effect in which a linguistic form conveys a meaning opposite to its literal value within a given context. The phenomenon sits at the intersection of semantics and pragmatics, depending on context, prosody, and shared background knowledge to arrive at the intended interpretation.

Definition and scope: Otsetähendus refers to the use of expressions whose basic or dictionary sense is inverted in practice. It overlaps with irony and antiphrasis but is distinguished by its emphasis on the inverse of the primary meaning across utterances or discourse, rather than a single instance of opposition. It can be realized through lexical choices, syntactic structure, or intonation.

Usage and examples: In everyday Estonian discourse, a sentence such as “Väga tubli töö” uttered after a failed result can function as otsetähendus—conveying disdain or ironic praise rather than genuine commendation. In literary texts, writers may deploy otsetähendus to create tone, satire, or critique without overt irony markers.

Analysis and relevance: Researchers study otsetähendus with corpus analysis, experimental pragmatics, and discourse analysis to understand how listeners infer the intended opposite meaning. The concept helps explain how speakers encode stance, evaluation, and social attitudes beyond literal wording.

See also: antiphrasis, irony, metaphor, pragmatics, semantics, discourse analysis.