This book is an introduction for everyone interested in cognitive semantics. As such, it explores the relation between language and thought and discusses key concepts in this area of linguistic investigation. Particular attention is given to the fundamental notions of conceptualization, embodiment and encyclopedic knowledge, all of which underlie the cognitive enterprise. Categorization is explained in great detail by focusing on the contribution of Prototype theory, Gestalt psychology and Wittgenstein’s principle of family resemblance. The discussion of experimental studies gives further support to the importance of categorization for language production and processing. In addition to lexical categories, the notion of categorization is also applied to phonological and morphological units. The theory of semantic frames, as originally devised by Fillmore, is presented alongside other similar proposals set forth in the field of psychology. The discussion of image schemas is viewed in connection with modal verbs and their basic epistemic and deontic senses. Conceptual metaphor theory and more recent proposals for the analysis of figurative language are the subject matter of the last chapter. Written in a reader-friendly style, the book combines theoretical explanations with a good number of examples, and it uses illustrations to make the arguments more graspable.
Introduction to cognitive semantics
DEGANI, Marta
2012-01-01
Abstract
This book is an introduction for everyone interested in cognitive semantics. As such, it explores the relation between language and thought and discusses key concepts in this area of linguistic investigation. Particular attention is given to the fundamental notions of conceptualization, embodiment and encyclopedic knowledge, all of which underlie the cognitive enterprise. Categorization is explained in great detail by focusing on the contribution of Prototype theory, Gestalt psychology and Wittgenstein’s principle of family resemblance. The discussion of experimental studies gives further support to the importance of categorization for language production and processing. In addition to lexical categories, the notion of categorization is also applied to phonological and morphological units. The theory of semantic frames, as originally devised by Fillmore, is presented alongside other similar proposals set forth in the field of psychology. The discussion of image schemas is viewed in connection with modal verbs and their basic epistemic and deontic senses. Conceptual metaphor theory and more recent proposals for the analysis of figurative language are the subject matter of the last chapter. Written in a reader-friendly style, the book combines theoretical explanations with a good number of examples, and it uses illustrations to make the arguments more graspable.
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