Temporalität im Deutschen: Eine semiotische, kulturelle und diskursive Analyse
Temporality in German: A semiotic, cultural and discursive analysis

Author(s): Oxana Chira
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Semiotics / Semiology, Theoretical Linguistics
Published by: Biblioteca Ştiinţifică a Universităţii de Stat Alecu Russo
Keywords: temporality; german language; linguistic encoding; temporal metaphors; discourse; semiotics; cultural linguistics; time perception
Summary/Abstract: This study explores temporality in the German language from an integrative perspective that combines semiotic, cultural, and discursive dimensions. Starting from the premise that language does not merely reflect temporal reality but actively constructs it, the paper examines how linguistic structures shape the perception and organization of time. The analysis focuses on the German verbal system, temporal adverbs, lexical units, and idiomatic expressions, highlighting their role in encoding temporal relations such as sequence, duration, and frequency. Particular attention is given to temporal metaphors, which conceptualize time as a measurable and manageable resource, thus influencing cognitive processes and social behavior. The study also investigates the discursive flexibility of the concept of time, emphasizing its semantic richness and pragmatic functions in everyday communication. Furthermore, the research extends to specific domains such as economics, sports, and mobility, where time is institutionalized and strategically managed. Literary representations of temporality in the works of T. Mann, St. Zweig, W. Borchert, and E. M. Remarque illustrate the existential, subjective, and cultural dimensions of time. The findings demonstrate that temporality in German constitutes a multidimensional construct situated at the intersection of language, cognition, and culture, reflecting both the systemic organization of linguistic structures and broader socio-cultural values.

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