THE SEMANTICS OF “BEING”: A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY STUDY OF A POLYSEMANTIC TERM IN PHILOSOPHY AND LINGUISTICS

Abstract

The term “being” holds a pivotal role in both philosophical discourse and linguistic expression, encompassing a rich tapestry of meanings across disciplines. In philosophy, “being” is deeply intertwined with debates on existence, essence, and reality, reflecting a complex history of interpretations from ancient to modern thought. This article delves into the various philosophical perspectives on “being,” including existential, essential, and dynamic interpretations, while also examining its implications within the realm of linguistics. The linguistic exploration reveals the term’s grammatical significance, particularly through the verb “to be,” which serves various functions such as a copula, existential verb, and more across different languages. The intersection of philosophy and linguistics presents challenges in translating and interpreting “being,” highlighting how language shapes and reflects philosophical concepts. By analyzing the polysemous nature of “being” in both fields, this study provides valuable insights into how humans conceptualize existence, identity, and reality, thus bridging the abstract world of metaphysics with the tangible structures of human language.