What is Cognitive Semantics?
Cognitive Representation (Talmy)
- Closed class: structure of concept - Open-class: content of concept
4 Guiding principles
1. Conceptual structure = embodied 2. Semantic structure = conceptual structure 3. Meaning representation = encyclopaedic 4. Meaning construction = conceptualisation
Differences Formal & Cognitive Semantics
1. FS: Dictionary view, separate ling (semantics) & world knowledge (pragmatics) CS: Rejects "semantics vs pragmatics" & support prototype model of word meaning: no modelling of meaning by strict definitions 2. CS: Constructional not compositional (FS: primitives-> word meaning->sentence meaning) 3. CS: Experientialist (meaning = construed by humans) FS: truth-conditional & objectivist model
Mappings (3)
1. Projection mapping: structure from 1 domain (source) onto other domain (target) eg TIME = Motion of Objects 2. Pragmatic function mapping: established btwn 2 entities through shared frame of experience eg metonymy 3. Schema mapping: projecting schema/frame onto utterances eg PURCHASING GOODS components
Mental spaces
Conceptual 'packets' of info, built up during 'on-line' process of meaning construction
Methodology in CS
Converging evidence: lang patterns suggest conceptual structure patterns -> look for related evidence in other areas
Conceptualization
Dynamic process whereby linguistic units serve as prompts of array of conceptual operations & recruitment of background knowledge
Cognitive semantics
Focus on conceptual structure & conceptualization Language is a tool for investigation conceptual system
Cognitive approaches to grammar
Focus on language system itself on basis of conceptual system. Conceptual system = tool for investigating language
4. Meaning construction = conceptualisation
Language doesn't encode meaning, ling units only prompts to determine meaning. Words no inherent meaning. Meaning = process! Meaning construction involves inferencing strategies, like mapping
2. Semantic structure = conceptual structure
Language refers to concepts in speaker's mind, not in external world, btwn objectivism & subjectivism -> concepts relate to lived experiences
Mappings (Fauconnier)
Local connections btwn distinct mental spaces
Metaphorical projection
Meaningful structure from bod experience -> concrete concepts -> structure more abstract conceptual domain
Semantic structure
Meanings conventionally associated w/ words & other ling units Applies to all ling units: word, bound morpheme, passive sentence structure, in CL they're all meaningful
Polysemy
Multiple meanings of 1 lexical item = distinct yet related
1. Conceptual structure = embodied
Nature of conceptual org arises from bodily experiences so part of what makes experience meaningful = bodily experience associated w/ it Meaningful structure from bod experience-> image schema (eg CONTAINMENT) -> concrete concept -> metaphorical projection -> abstract concept (eg being in love STATE)
Encyclopaedic semantics
Organisation of word meanings - Frame/scaffolding (Fillmore): frame against which word meanings are understood; detailed knowledge structure ("borrow" vs. "loan") - Domains (base versus profile: profile -> emphasized part of semantic structure, base -> not in focus but needed to understand profile )
Categorisation
Our ability to identify entities as members of groups Rosch: it's not all or nothing affair, but judgements on it seemed to exhibit prototype or typicality effects (better examples). Based on Rosch' data Lakoff developed ICMs (highly abstract frames)
Inferencing strategies
Relate to different aspects of conceptual structure, organization & packaging
Meaning construction
Selecting appropriate meaning for certain context
Conceptual Blending Theory
Set up different mental spaces -> blend them -> new meaning Eg cartoon characters: animal qualities+human qualities = talking animals
Conceptual structure
Talmy, conceptual structuring mechanisms apparent in ling structure eg investigating functions of open & closed class words.
Bodily basis of meaning
Tie concepts to concrete experience (experiential correlation) Eg: Quantity & vertical elevation Lakoff + Johnson: daily experience -> experiential correlation
3. Meaning representation = encyclopaedic
Words not neatly packaged bundles of meaning but point of access to knowledge database full of associations, culture related Not denying words have conventional meanings attached but arguing convent. mean. = prompts for process of meaning construction Eg Bachelor
