Cover not available
Article published In:
Revista Española de Lingüística Aplicada/Spanish Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 30:1 (2017) ► pp.299–324

Conceptual complexes in cognitive modeling

| University of La Rioja

The present paper goes beyond previous treatments of cognitive models, especially conceptual metaphor and metonymy, by drawing on linguistic evidence. It introduces needed refinements into previous meaning construction accounts by investigating the activity of conceptual complexes, i.e., combinations of cognitive models whose existence can be detected from a careful examination of the meaning effects of some linguistic expressions. This improvement endows the linguist with a more powerful set of analytical tools capable of dealing with a broader range of phenomena than previous theories. The paper first explores metaphoric and metonymic complexes, and their meaning effects. Then, it addresses the metonymic exploitation of frame complexes and image-schematic complexes. The resulting analytical apparatus proves applicable to the study of fictive motion and image-schema transformations, which have so far been addressed in Cognitive Linguistics without making explicit any relation between them or with other phenomena. We give evidence that these two phenomena can be dealt with as specific cases of metonymic domain expansion and domain reduction respectively. This means that fictive motion and image-schema transformations can be fully integrated into an encompassing account of cognitive modeling based on the activity of single or combined cognitive operations on basic or complex cognitive models.

Keywords: cognitive model, cognitive operation, fictive motion, image-schema transformation, image-schematic complex, metaphoric complex, metonymic complex
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.What is a cognitive model?
  • 3.Conceptual complexes
    • 3.1Frame complexes
    • 3.2Image-schematic complexes
    • 3.3Combining cognitive operations
      • 3.3.1Metaphtonymy
      • 3.3.2Chaining metonymies
      • 3.3.3Chaining metaphors
      • 3.3.4Amalgamating metaphors
  • 4.The metaphoric and metonymic exploitation of frame and image-schematic complexes
    • 4.1Frame complexes, metaphor, and metonymy
    • 4.2Image-schematic complexes and metonymy
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References


This article is currently available as a sample article.

Published online: 23 November 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/resla.30.1.12rui
References
Boas, H. C.
(2005) From theory to practice: Frame Semantics and the design of FrameNet. In S. Langer & D. Schnorbusch (Eds.), Semantik im lexikon (pp. 129–160). Tübingen: Narr.Google Scholar
Fauconnier, G., & Turner, M.
(2002) The way we think: Conceptual blending and the mind’s hidden complexities. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
Fillmore, C. J.
(1985) Frames and the semantics of understanding. Quaderni di Semantica, 61, 222–255.Google Scholar
Fillmore, C. J., Johnson, C. R., & Petruck, M. R. L.
(2003) Background to Framenet. International Journal of Lexicography, 16(3), 235–250. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Gibbs, R. W.
(2006) Metaphor interpretation as embodied simulation. Mind & Language, 21(3), 434–458. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(2007) Experimental tests of figurative meaning construction. In G. Radden, K. M. Köpke, T. Berg, & P. Siemund (Eds.) Aspects of meaning construction (pp. 19–32). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(2011) Evaluating Conceptual Metaphor Theory. Discourse Processes, 48(8), 529–562. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Glebkin, V.
(2013) A critical view of Conceptual Blending Theory. In M. Knauff, M. Pauen, N. Sebanz & I. Wachsmuth (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society (pp. 2404–2409). Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society.Google Scholar
Goossens, L.
(1990) Metaphtonymy: The interaction of metaphor and metonymy in expressions for linguistic action. Cognitive Linguistics, 1(3), 323–340. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Grady, J. E.
(1997)  theories are buildings revisited. Cognitive Linguistics, 8(4), 267–290. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(1999) A typology of motivation for conceptual metaphor: correlation vs. resemblance. In R. Gibbs & G. Steen (Eds.), Metaphor in Cognitive Linguistics (pp. 79–100). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Grady, J., Oakley, T., & Coulson, S.
(1999) Blending and metaphor. In G. Steen & R. W. Gibbs (Eds.), Metaphor in Cognitive Linguistics. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Hampe, B.
(Ed.) (2005) From perception to meaning: Image schemas in Cognitive Linguistics. Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Johnson, M.
(1987) The body in the mind: The bodily basis of meaning, imagination, and reason. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Kövecses, Z., & Radden, G.
(1998) Metonymy: Developing a cognitive linguistic view. Cognitive Linguistics, 91, 37–77. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Lakoff, G.
(1987) Women, fire, and dangerous things: What categories reveal about the mind. Chicago: University of Chicago. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(1993) The contemporary theory of metaphor. In A. Ortony (Ed.), Metaphor and thought (2nd ed.) (pp. 202–251). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M.
(1980) Metaphors we live by. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
(1999) Philosophy in the flesh. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
Langacker, R. W.
(1987) Foundations of Cognitive Grammar: Volume 1: Theoretical pre- requisites. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.Google Scholar
(1993) Reference-point constructions. Cognitive Linguistics, 41, 1–38. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(1999) Grammar and conceptualization. Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Matlock, T.
(2004) The conceptual motivation of fictive motion. In G. Radden & K. -U. Panther (Eds.), Studies in linguistic motivation (pp. 221–248). Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter.Google Scholar
(2010) Abstract motion is no longer abstract. Language and Cognition, 2(2), 243–260. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Moore, K. E.
(2014) The two-mover hypothesis and the significance of “direction of motion” in temporal metaphors. Review of Cognitive Linguistics, 12(2), 375–409. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Peña, S.
(2003) Topology and cognition: What image-schemas reveal about the metaphorical language of emotions. Munich: Lincom Europa.Google Scholar
(2008) Dependency systems for image-schematic patterns in a usage-based approach to language. Journal of Pragmatics, 40(6), 1041–1066. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Peña, S., & Ruiz de Mendoza, F. J.
(2009) Metonymic and metaphoric bases of two image-schema transformations. In K. -U. Panther, L. Thornburg, & A. Barcelona (Eds.), Metonymy and metaphor in grammar (pp. 339–361). Amsterdam/ Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Rao, S. M., Mayer, A. R., & Harrington, D. L.
(2001) The evolution of brain activation during temporal processing. Nature Neuroscience, 4(3), 317–323. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Richardson, D. C., & Matlock, T.
(2007) The integration of figurative language and static depictions: An eye movement study of fictive motion. Cognition, 1021, 129–138. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Ruiz de Mendoza, F. J.
(2008) Cross-linguistic analysis, second language teaching and cognitive semantics: The case of Spanish diminutives and reflexive constructions. In S. De Knop & T. De Rycker (Eds.), Cognitive approaches to Pedagogical Grammar: Volume in honor of René Dirven (pp. 121–152). Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter.Google Scholar
(2011) Metonymy and cognitive operations. In R. Benczes, A. Barcelona, & F. J. Ruiz de Mendoza (Eds.), Defining metonymy in Cognitive Linguistics: Towards a consensus view (pp. 103–123). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(2014) On the nature and scope of metonymy in linguistic description and explanation: Towards settling some controversies. In J. Littlemore & J. Taylor (Eds.), Bloomsbury companion to Cognitive Linguistics (143–166). London: Bloomsbury.Google Scholar
(2017) Metaphor and other cognitive operations in interaction: From basicity to complexity. In B. Hampe (Ed.), Metaphor: Embodied cognition, and discourse (pp. 138–159). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Ruiz de Mendoza, F. J., & Díez, O. I.
(2002) Patterns of conceptual interaction. In R. Dirven & R. Pörings (Eds.), Metaphor and metonymy in comparison and contrast (pp. 489–532). Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Ruiz de Mendoza, F. J., & Galera, A.
(2011) Going beyond metaphtonymy: Metaphoric and metonymic complexes in phrasal verb interpretation. Language Value, 3(1), 1–29. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(2014) Cognitive modeling: A linguistic perspective. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Ruiz de Mendoza, F. J., & Pérez, L.
(2011) The contemporary theory of metaphor: Myths, developments and challenges. Metaphor and Symbol, 261, 161–185. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Talmy, L.
(2000a) Toward a Cognitive Semantics. Volume I: Concept structuring system. Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press.Google Scholar
(2000b) Toward a Cognitive Semantics. Volume II: Typology and process in concept structuring. Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press.Google Scholar
(2007) Attention phenomena. In D. Geeraerts & H. Cuyckens (Eds.), Handbook of Cognitive Linguistics (pp. 264–293). Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
(2014) Concept structuring systems in language. In M. Tomasello (Ed.), The new psychology of language: Cognitive and functional approaches to language structure. Vol. II1. (pp. 15–46). New York: Psychology Press.Google Scholar
Veale, T.
(2005) Incongruity on humor: Root cause or epiphenomenon? Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 17(4), 419–428.Google Scholar
Cited by

Cited by 8 other publications

Baeskow, Heike
2022. Experiencing the Conceptual Wealth of Non‐Derived Denominal Verbs: A Multi‐Level, Simulation‐Based Approach*. Studia Linguistica 76:2 ► pp. 591 ff. DOI logo
Haddad Haddad & Montero-Martínez
2019. The ‘Carbon Capture’ Metaphor: An English-Arabic Terminological Case Study. Languages 4:4 ► pp. 77 ff. DOI logo
Haddad Haddad, Amal
2022. Image Schemas and Image Schematic Complexes: Enhancing Neural Machine Translation Networks. In Computational and Corpus-Based Phraseology [Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 13528], ► pp. 105 ff. DOI logo
Iakovleva, Elena A., Natalia S. Voronova, Ermin E. Sharich & Daria D. Iakovleva
2023. Modeling the Decision-Making Process Based on Cyber-Physical Technologies. In Cyber-Physical Systems and Control II [Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 460], ► pp. 565 ff. DOI logo
Kratochvílová, Dana
2024. Review of Peña-Cervel & Ruiz de Mendoza Ibáñez (2022): Figuring out figuration: A cognitive linguistic account. Review of Cognitive Linguistics DOI logo
Voronova, Natalia S., Andrei N. Vinogradov, Ermin E. Sharich & Daria D. Iakovleva
2022. Designing a Decision Support System for Capital Markets. In System Analysis in Engineering and Control [Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 442], ► pp. 473 ff. DOI logo
[no author supplied]
2022. Motion Metaphors in Music Criticism [Metaphor in Language, Cognition, and Communication, 10], DOI logo
[no author supplied]
2022. Figuring out Figuration [Figurative Thought and Language, 14], DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 13 april 2024. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.