Cognitive Semantics

Wang Lei ( 王磊 ), Ph.D. in linguistics

School of English Studies (SES)
Shanghai International Studies University
Fall 2016
 Lecture 1: Introduction
1.0 Preview
1970s, a reaction against the objectivist world view and
truth-conditional semantics
By viewing meaning as the relationship between words and the
world, truth-conditional semantics eliminates cognitive
organization from the linguistic systems. -- Eve Sweetser
(1990:4)

Cognitive semantics: linguistic meaning is a manifestation

of conceptual structure—the nature and organization of
mental representation in all its richness and diversity
Not a unified framework, but there are some guiding
principles characterizing a cognitive semantic approach
1.1 Four guiding principles
Conceptual structure is embodied (the ‘embodied cognition
thesis’).
Semantic structure is conceptual structure.
Meaning representation is encyclopedic.
Meaning construction is conceptualization.
1.1.1 Conceptual structure is embodied
A fundamental concern: the nature of the relationship
between conceptual structure and the external world of
sensory experience
Embodied cognition thesis, e.g. bounded landmark
→containment
Image schema
He’s in love.

We’re out of trouble now.

He’s coming out of the coma.

I’m slowly getting into shape.

He entered a state of euphoria.

He fell into a depression.

Metaphorical projection
1.1.2 Semantic structure is conceptual structure
Language refers to concepts in the mind of the speaker
rather than to objects in the external world.
I.e. semantic structure can be equated with concepts.
But the two are NOT identical, e.g. moustache
Two caveats (‘limitations’):
Language does NOT relate to concepts internal to the
mind of the speaker and nothing else (subjectivism);
concepts relate to lived experience (a path between the
opposing extremes of subjectivism and objectivism), e.g.
BACHELOR
An encyclopaedic view is favored over the definitional or
dictionary view of word meaning.
1.1.3 Meaning representation is encyclopedic
Words do not represent neatly packaged bundles of
meaning (the dictionary view), but serve as ‘points of
access’ to vast repositories of knowledge relating to a
particular concept or conceptual domain.
E.g. ‘Watch out Jane, your husband’s a right bachelor!’
The child is safe.

The beach is safe.

The shovel is safe.

1.1.4 Meaning construction is conceptualization

Meaning construction is a dynamic process whereby
linguistic units serve as prompts for an array of conceptual
operations and the recruitment of background knowledge.
Gilles Fauconnier’s mappings (1994, 1997): local connections
between distinct mental spaces, conceptual ‘packets’ of
information, which are built up during the ‘on-line’ process
of meaning construction
E.g. In France, Bill Clinton wouldn’t have been harmed by his
relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
1.1.5 Guiding principles in retrospective
1.2 Investigations within cognitive semantics
1.2.1 Embodiment and conceptual structure
Image schemas
Conceptual structure
1.2.2 The encyclopaedic view of meaning
Dictionaries versus encyclopedias
Frame semantics
The theory of domains
1.2.3 Categorisation and idealised cognitive models (ICM)
Prototype theory
The theory of idealised cognitive models

1.2.4 Metaphor and metonymy

Conceptual Metaphor Theory
Primary Metaphor Theory

Conceptual metonymy
1.2.5 Word meaning and radial categories
The Principled Polysemy approach
1.2.6 Meaning construction and mental spaces
Mental Spaces Theory
1.2.7 Conceptual blending
Conceptual Blending Theory

1.2.8 Cognitive semantics in context

1.3 Course evaluation
Attendance & participation (10%)

Presentation (20%)

Course paper (70%)

1.4 Resources for the Course

Basic texts
Journals
Cognitive Linguistics
Cognitive Science
Journal of Pragmatics
《外国语》
《外语教学与研究》
《现代外语》
《外语学刊》
CSSCI
1.5 Course email-box

cognitivesemantics@163.com

Code: C201609s