Among different kinds of word-formation process in languages, compounding is one of the main process which draw linguists attention due to multiple reasons. First of all, compounding accounts as one the most productive process (Dressler, 2006). Beside compounding could be considered as the fundamental word-formation process, because if we form novel words to communicate, compounds are the easiest and most effective way to transfer a new meaning (Leiben, 2006). Compounding as a basic humankind ability has some others properties which keep compounding on the primary and confirm a linguistic study on compounding. Such as sentences, much of the compounds segment easily to their constituents and have transparent meaning. Compounds, as a whole, could …show more content…
According to this view, language itself does not encode meaning; Instead, meaning is constructed at the conceptual level and linguistic units are just some prompts to construct meaning in the context (Evans & Green, 2006: 162). So, 'meaning construction' is a keyword in cognitive …show more content…
al, 2007: 6). Among different trends in cognitive linguistics which try to explore meaning construction in the mind of humans, Conceptual Blending Theory, also known as Conceptual Integration Theory is one of them. The theory, first proposed by Gill Fauconnier and Mark Turner (1998; 2002), is an approach deriving from two major tradition within cognitive semantics, i.e. Mental Space Theory and Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Evans & Green, 2006: 400). The pivotal affirmation of conceptual blending theory is that meaning construction involves integration of structure which gives rise to more than the sum of its constituents. By linking elements from Conceptual Metaphor theory and Mental Space Theory, Fauconnier and Turner had developed an integration network which allow to account for meaning construction and the emergent meaning. An integration network is an array of mental spaces that includes two or more input spaces, one generic space including common structures in all inputs and a blended space which contains selected aspects from each input space plus an emergent structure of its own (Taylor, 2002: 530). The emergent structure as the most important outstanding achievement of Conceptual Blending Theory, is the result of three blending processes: (i) composition which involves composing
The metaphors main goal is to take an existing thought in the audiences mind and affiliate it with a message or concept (usually persuasive) that the author has in mind, therefore using the metaphor as a sort of medium of vehicle to propel the targeted concept for the audience to a meaningful resting point were an agreement of the idea can be reached. Metaphors allow the author of persuasive discourse to use fewer words when conveying persuasive thoughts. The aspect of language economy comes to mind here, simply put the fewer complex words needed, the likelihood of agreeableness with the use of metaphors is obtainable. The society of North America is filled with metaphors the people associate with in order to not only justify actions, but to also convey messages that are hard to explain with multiple words. People use elaborate metaphors for multiple means which can be effective with the economy aspect of language usage.
Metaphors are a figure of speech which makes an implied or hidden comparison between two unrelated things but share some common characteristics (Metaphor). Metaphors allow for authors to be creative and to express the distinction of emotions and images. An example of a metaphor in the short story is “The trees were full of silver-white sunlight and the meanest of them sparkled” (O’Connor). Imagery is meant to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our five senses. Usually imagery makes use of particular words that create a visual representation of ideas in our heads (Imagery).
The computational representational theory of the mind (CRUM) is a theory devised to model the complexities of the human mind in cognitive science. Human thought processes have been simplified by thinking about abstract thought processes in terms of concrete computational procedures (Thagard, 11). CRUM theory surmises that thinking is the result of the application of operations to mental representations (Thagard, 11). Recent literature suggests our emotions are intrinsically tied to cognitive processes (Dalgleish and Power, 1999). Emotions are influential factors that affect mental representations such as concepts, analogies and imagery in cognitive science.
While reading, Conceptual Metaphors by Layoff, The Mirror Fallacy by Keysers, and Self Serving Bias (principle) by Myers, there are key ideas and words throughout each text that stood out. First, in the article by Layoff, it examines metaphors, as well as, brain function. A conceptual metaphor is “a complex theory of how the brain gives rise to thought and language, and how cognition is embodied”(Layoff). These types of metaphors form naturally in children’s brains in their everyday lives and as they grow, but they tend to be different variations by person. I feel as though this metaphor type is the strongest that is present in life, due to how it influences people from birth to adulthood.
Moreover, I utilise my definitions of understanding and meaning, to explain that computers are incapable of both semantics and syntax. Where understanding regards syntax and meaning regards significance of which both are consciousness-dependent concepts. Lastly, I differentiate sensation from perception, where perception is the ability to interpret sensory information, in order to
Metaphors allow the audience to gain an emotional reaction and connection to the
By using these general terms and making a general framework, this leaves room for variation and overlap, proving that this argument regarding separate spheres of human experience is baseless and that they are all much more connected and
In this article, the author cited that the definitions and descriptions of Metaphor and Mind Style Theory according to Roger Fowler and Gerard Steen. The “mind style” is to describe the method with a character’s thoughts to the world in a literary work. This theory is suitable for all literatures, but mainly used for the works which with reader’s particular, eccentric or disordered sense of the world. The “metaphor” is comparing one thing to another thing indirectly, using one little phenomenon to represent another problem. This article relates my project when the author uses the Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as an example.
Language/literacy development "is often defined as a system of symbols, spoken, written, and gestural that enables us to communicate with one another" (Martoz pg. 40). There are two types of language used, receptive and expressive language. Receptive language is defined as "understanding words that are heard" (Martoz pg. 40). Although young children often understand concepts, relationships of actions and words, and words themselves doesn 't mean that the young child has the words and vocabulary to communicate those concepts and words. Expressive language is defined as "words used to verbalize thoughts and feelings" (Martoz pg. 40).
According to Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, metaphors are used for “understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another” (pg 6). In other words, a metaphor is explaining or describing one thing as if it was something else. They explain two kinds of metaphors in the book. The first type of metaphor that the book mentions is a “structural metaphor” in which “one concept is metaphorically structured in terms of another” (pg 15). The other type the book mentions is an “orientational metaphor” which “organizes a whole system of concepts with respect to one another” (pg 15).
We conjure images; we combine incongruent elements to evoke emotion in a more efficient way than wordier descriptions can, and we use unconscious and tangential associations rather than logic to tell a story”.
Our lexicon consists of multiple synonymous words, each with varying degrees of extremity for what it is trying to convey. There is no limitation to how many words we can create; in fact, we are encouraged to expand our vocabulary. The expansion of words has a positive impact on our communication, as “every word is a chance to express your idea and get your meaning across. New words grab people’s attention. They get people to focus on what you’re saying and that gives you a better chance to get your meaning across.”
(Blumer, H (1969) p. 1). According to Blumer, there are three basic premises of Symbolic interactionism. The first premise is that human beings act towards things on the basis of the meanings that things have for them. (Gasa and du Plessis p.154).
It is prima facie evidence of linguistic flexibility, proof of the great dexterity of the human mind. (Pincott,
Language development is a critical part of a child’s overall development. Language encourages and supports a child’s ability to communicate. Through language, a child is able to understand and define his or her’s feelings and emotions. It also introduces the steps to thinking critically as well as problem-solving, building and maintaining relationships. Learning a language from a social perspective is important because it gives the child the opportunity to interact with others and the environment.