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Article published In:
International Journal of Language and Culture
Vol. 9:2 (2022) ► pp.233–257

A spatial model of conceptualization of time

With special reference to English and Armenian fairy tales

| Armenian State Pedagogical University after Kh. Abovyan
| Armenian State Pedagogical University after Kh. Abovyan

This paper presents a cognitive study of the lexical means of conceptualization of time in English and Armenian fairy tales, and outlines the ways in which such conceptualizations are expressed in both languages. A spatial model for the conceptualization of time is introduced, which helps reveal the complexities of lexical expressions of time in these fairy tale texts. The model is depicted by geometric delineations and comprises the schemas which best conform to the folkloristic genre; the depictions consist of a set comprising: point, interval, line, cycle, circle, and segment of a circle. A comparative analysis between the languages reveals that each of these schemas is represented in both languages but to differing extents. Lexically, the schemas are primarily expressed in English by noun phrases paired with prepositions, and in Armenian by prepositions or postpositions or their morphological synonyms. Other means of schema expression in both languages include, with slight differences, number markers, adverbs, adjectives, conjunctions, and deictics.

Keywords: space, time, model of conceptualization, cognitive schema, geometric delineation
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Language and cognition
    • 1.2Space and time relationships
    • 1.3Space and time in fairy tales
  • 2.A spatial model for the conceptualization of time and lexical means of its presentation
    • 2.1The point:
      • 2.1.1The Fixed Point:
      • 2.1.2The Approximate Point:
      • 2.1.3The Deictic Point:
      • 2.1.4The Indefinite Point:
    • 2.2The Interval:
      • 2.2.1The Fixed Interval:
      • 2.2.2The Conventionally-Fixed Interval:
      • 2.2.3The Indefinite Interval:
      • 2.2.4The Approximate Interval:
    • 2.3The Line:
      • 2.3.1A Straight Line:
      • 2.3.2Broken Line:
      • 2.3.3The Perspective Line
        • 2.3.3.1Simultaneity:
        • 2.3.3.2Priority
        • 2.3.3.3Succession
    • 2.4Cycle:
    • 2.5Circle:
    • 2.6Segment of a Circle:
  • 3.Conclusion
    • Geometric delineations
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 21 October 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ijolc.21071.mkh
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