Cognitive lingustics

Cognitive Linguistics -

A linguistic approach that views language as part of general human cognition and emphasizes the relationship between language

Embodiment -

The idea that our concepts and meanings are grounded in bodily and sensory experience.

Conceptualization -

The mental process of constructing meaning rather than simply retrieving it from words.

Usage-Based Model -

The view that linguistic knowledge develops from actual language use and experience.

Entrenchment -

The strengthening of linguistic patterns through repeated use.

Category -

- A group of entities that are treated as similar in some respect.

Prototype Theory -

The theory that categories are organized around the most typical examples (prototypes) rather than strict definitions.

Prototype -.

The best or most representative member of a category. Example: A robin is often considered a better prototype of BIRD than a penguin

Family Resemblance -

The idea that category members share overlapping similarities but not necessarily one feature common to all.

Radial Category -

A category organized around a central meaning with related peripheral meanings extending from it.

Conceptual Metaphor -

Understanding one conceptual domain in terms of another.Example: TIME IS MONEY

Source Domain -

The more concrete domain from which metaphorical structure is drawn.

Target Domain -

The abstract domain understood through metaphor.

Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) -

Lakoff and Johnson's theory that metaphor is fundamental to thought not merely a stylistic device.

Metonymy -

Using one entity to mentally access another related entity within the same domain.Example: "The White House announced…" (building → institution)

Orientational Metaphor -

Concepts organized through spatial orientation.Example: HAPPY IS UP

Ontological Metaphor -

Abstract entities are conceptualized as objects or substances. Example: "I can't grasp that idea."

Image Schema -

A recurring cognitive pattern derived from bodily experience.

CONTAINER Schema-

Inside–outside structure.Examples: in trouble out of danger

SOURCE-PATH-GOAL Schema - .

Movement from a starting point to a destination

LINK Schema -

Connection between entities.

FORCE Schema -

Physical or abstract force affecting movement.

BALANCE Schema -

Equilibrium and stability.

CENTER-PERIPHERY Schema -

Organization around a central point.

Frame - A

structured body of background knowledge associated with a concept.

Frame Semantics -

Fillmore's theory that word meanings can only be understood relative to conceptual frames.

Frame Evocation -

The activation of a frame by a lexical item.Example: buy evokes a commercial transaction frame.

Mental Space- A

temporary conceptual structure created during thinking and communication.

Mental Spaces Theory -

Fauconnier's theory explaining how people construct meaning dynamically.

Conceptual Blending-

Combining elements from different mental spaces to create new meaning.

Blend-

The resulting integrated mental space.

Emergent Structure -

New meaning that arises in a blend and is not present in the original spaces.

Cognitive Grammar -

Langacker's theory that grammar is inherently meaningful and symbolic.

Symbolic Unit - A

pairing of form and meaning.

Profiling -

Highlighting a specific aspect of a conceptual structure. Example: roof profiles part of a house.

Construal -

Different ways of mentally viewing the same situation.

Figure-Ground Organization - A

cognitive distinction between the focal element (figure) and its background (ground).

Construction - A

conventional pairing of form and meaning.

Construction Grammar -

The theory that language consists of a network of constructions.

Idiomatic Construction -

A construction whose meaning cannot be fully predicted from its parts.

Polysemy - A

single word having multiple related meanings.

Homonymy - A

single form having unrelated meanings.

Semantic Network - A

system of related meanings connected within a word's semantic structure.

Extension - The

process by which meanings develop from an original sense.

George Lakoff -

Developed Conceptual Metaphor Theory.

Mark Johnson -

Co-author of Metaphors We Live By; major figure in embodiment theory.

Ronald Langacker -

Founder of Cognitive Grammar.

Charles Fillmore -

Founder of Frame Semantics.

Leonard Talmy -

Known for work on conceptual structure motion events

Gilles Fauconnier -

Developer of Mental Spaces Theory.

Mark Turner -

Co-developer of Conceptual Blending Theory.

Ludwig Wittgenstein -

Associated with family resemblance and categorization.

Eleanor Rosch -

Pioneer of prototype theory.