Understanding [N-N]N compounds

This paper addresses the meaning predictability of recent English [N-N]N compounds. As will be seen, CL provides a comprehensive framework of analysis for investigating and accounting for the context-dependent meaning construction and interpretation not only of [N-N]N compounds but aso of lexical blends as (nick-)names from names in terms of the language user’s mental work. Since CL banks heavily on the linguist’s insightful interpretations, it may be said to risk turning into a subjective and impressionistic approach. Far from this, however, the analysis reveals the strong explanatory power of CL to investigate, among others, the properties of so-called exocentric compounds, and illustrate the interplay and fine-tuning of multiple motivations behind metaphorical selection within seme combinations in terms of schema-based analogy, world knowledge and salience, or accommodation of elements from the SIs, and emergent signification.