Analysis and Explanation of Semantic Relations in Exocentric Compounds in Modern Persian

Compound nouns are one of the important parts of lexicon in every language. They are result of interaction between morphology and syntax. Compounding is one of the subjects which have been always under research in the history of linguistic studies from different aspects. The semantic aspect of compounds in Farsi has not been so much in consideration in recent studies. This paper with a semantic-cognitive approach surveys different kinds and nature of semantic relations in exocentric compound noun. From perspective of cognitive studies in linguistics the very kind of semantic relation which exists between constituents of compounds is a decisive criterion for the final comprehension and interpretation of a compound. In fact the way by which the constituents of a compound link together results in the emergence of semantic relation between head and modifier. In every language we find endocentric compounds with a semantic head inside the compound and consequently a compositional meaning. On the other hand، there are plentiful of compounds-exocentric compounds-in a language which have no semantic head and consequently no compositionality. For these exocentric compounds we find the referent of the compound out of it and it should be listed in lexicon and to be memorized. This paper gives us a better understanding of the nature of semantic relations in compounds and it could be used in lexicography، corpus linguistics and morpho-semantic studies of lexicon