SEMANTICS AND PRAGMATICS OF THE EXPRESSION ВИДЕТИ СВОЈИМ ОЧИМА IN THE HISTORY OF SERBIAN LANGUAGE

Abstract

The subject of this paper is the semantic and pragmatic analysis of the expression videti svojim očima. We have examined the medieval, 19th century and contemporary periods of the Serbian language. We have employed a qualitative method of analysis. Structurally speaking, the expression consists of a verb of visual perception, possessive adjective functioning as a nonomissable determinator, and the noun očima. The expression svojim očima serves the following pragmatic functions: intensification and stating the obvious, giving the impression of firsthand experience, convincing the listener of the truthfulness of the subject matter and distancing oneself from the experience at hand.