Chapter 15

Units of understanding in Sociocognitive Terminology studies

In Sociocognitive Terminology theory the point of departure is the ‘unit of understanding’(UoU). A UoU exists because of three key elements. First, the understander relies on the senses to get a grip on aspects of reality. Second, the understander has a functioning mind. Third, the understander has proficiency in at least one human language allowing him to put into words his personal understanding of a unit as well as to understand discourse that represents earlier references to the UoU under consideration. Four more aspects need to be added to make this theory complete: prototypicality in understanding, embeddedness in society, a diachronic perspective, and the impact of metaphorical framing. Three case studies that were executed within the framework of Sociocognitive Terminology studies are presented.