Communicative discursive model and cognitive linguistics

1.

Communicative discursive
model and cognitive linguistics

2.

Lecture 5
• Problem Questions:
• 1) Dictionaries versus encyclopaedias
• 2) The Encyclopedic view
• 3) The dictionary view
• 4) Dichotomies in the dictionary view of word meaning
• 5) Problems with the dictionary view
• 6) Word meaning versus sentence meaning

3.

Dictionaries versus encyclopaedias
Dictionaries (words
and their meanings)
Encyclopaedias (all
sorts of scientific,
cultural, historical
information about
things)

4.

The EncyclopedicView of meaning in cognitive linguistics
• The EncyclopedicView in cognitive linguistics is a perspective that emphasizes that word
meanings are intricately connected to our real-world experiences, knowledge, and conceptual
systems.
• For instance, when we think of the word "dog," our mental association extends to pets, breeds,
and personal experiences with these animals.
Key aspects of the Encyclopedic View with examples to illustrate them:
Rich Associations: For example, the word "apple" doesn't just mean a round, red fruit; it also
brings to mind associations with taste, texture, orchards, recipes, and cultural references.
• Contextual Dependence: For example, the word "bank" can refer to a financial institution or the
side of a river, and its meaning depends on the context of the sentence.
Cultural and Experiential Knowledge: For instance, the word "marriage" involves not only the
legal union of individuals but also cultural norms, ceremonies, and societal expectations related to
matrimony.
Flexibility: For example, the word "mouse" used to refer only to the small rodent, but it has now
extended its meaning to include a computer input device.
Comprehensive Understanding

5.

Summary
The Encyclopedic View in cognitive linguistics recognizes
that word meanings are not limited to fixed definitions but
are deeply rooted in our rich and varied experiences,
knowledge, and cultural contexts. This view acknowledges
the dynamic and multifaceted nature of word meanings.

6.

The Dictionary View of meaning in cognitive linguistics
• The Dictionary View in cognitive linguistics is a perspective that approaches word meaning as
primarily dictionary-based.
Key aspects of the Dictionary View:
Fixed Definitions: For instance, the word "bachelor" is defined as an "unmarried adult male."
Unambiguous Meanings: For example, the word "triangle" is defined as "a three-sided polygon."
Objective Word Senses: For example, "run" in the sense of "physical activity" and "run" in the
sense of "a run in stockings" are considered as distinct, well-defined meanings.
Isolated Units.
Stable Meaning.
• For example, "book." In the Dictionary View, it might be defined simply as "a written or printed
work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side." This definition is intended to
capture the core meaning of "book" in an unambiguous and fixed manner.

7.

Summary
The Dictionary View represents a perspective in cognitive
linguistics that treats word meanings as isolated, fixed, and objectively
defined entities, focusing on dictionary-like definitions for
understanding word senses. This view contrasts with other cognitive
linguistic perspectives that emphasize the dynamic, context-dependent,
and encyclopedic nature of word meanings.

8.

The DictionaryViewVS The EncyclopedicView
Word-Centric
Fixed Definitions
Unambiguous Meanings
Objective Word Senses
Stability
Example: "apple"
Dictionary View: In the Dictionary
View, "apple" would be defined simply
as "a round fruit with red or green skin
and crisp flesh."
Concept-Centric
Rich Networks of Knowledge
Context-Dependent
Conceptual Overlaps
Dynamic Meaning
Example: "apple" would be associated
with a rich network of knowledge. The
meaning of "apple" is contextdependent and extends beyond a
simple, fixed definition.

9.

Summary
The Dictionary View emphasizes isolated, static definitions for
words, while the Encyclopedic View acknowledges that word
meanings
are
dynamic,
context-dependent,
and
interconnected with broader knowledge and experiences.
Cognitive linguistics tends to align more with the
Encyclopedic View, recognizing the complexity and richness
of word meanings.

10.

Dichotomies in the dictionary view of word
meaning.
• Firstly, the core meaning of a word (sense), which is contained in
the mental dictionary, stands in sharp contradistinction to what that
word refers to in the outside world (reference).
• Secondly, the dictionary view implies a sharp distinction between
knowledge of word meaning (semantics), and knowledge about how
contextual factors influence linguistic meaning (pragmatics).
• Thirdly, the dictionary view treats knowledge of word meaning as
distinct from cultural knowledge, social knowledge (our experience of
and interaction with others) and physical knowledge (our experience
of interaction with the world).

11.

The dictionary view of key distinctions in the study and
representation of meaning
Dictionary (linguistic)
Encyclopedic (non-linguistic)
knowledge
knowledge
Concerns sense (what words Concerns reference (what
mean)
speakers do with words)
Relates to the discipline
Relates to the discipline
semantics
pragmatics
Is stored in the mental lexicon Is governed by principles of
language use

12.

Problems with the Dictionary View
• Context Dependency: Example: Consider the word "bank." In a financial context, it refers to a financial
institution, while near a river, it refers to the edge of the river.
• Dynamic Nature of Language: Example: The word «net» primarily meant "material made of threads of
rope, string, wire, or plastic with spaces between them, allowing gas, liquid, or small objects to go through,
or an object made with this material that is used to limit the movement of something" but its meaning has
evolved to primarily refer to the Internet.
• Usage-Based Perspective: Example: The word "like" can mean different things based on its usage. In "I like
ice cream," it indicates preference, while in "He's like a rock," it's used for simile.
• Inadequate for Abstract Concepts: Example: "freedom" or "love" is challenging to define because they are
multifaceted and context-dependent.
• Lack of Representing Metaphor and Idiom: Example: The idiom "kick the bucket" means "to die." The
Dictionary View would struggle to provide an adequate literal definition for this idiom.
• Limited in Capturing Speaker Knowledge: Example: When using a word like "family," a speaker draws
upon their own knowledge, experiences, and cultural understandings, which go beyond a simple definition.
• Difficulty with Homophony: Example: "Bark" can mean the sound a dog makes or the outer covering of a
tree. The Dictionary View may not easily account for these distinct meanings.

13.

Summary
In cognitive linguistics, the Dictionary View is often
replaced by the Encyclopedic View, which acknowledges the
role of encyclopedic knowledge, context, and usage patterns in
shaping word meanings. This perspective allows for a more
dynamic and nuanced understanding of word meanings.

14.

Word Meaning Versus Sentence Meaning
1. Word Meaning as a Building Block: For example, to understand the sentence "The cat chased the dog," one must
first understand the meanings of "cat," "chased," and "dog" separately.
2. Compositionality: For instance, consider the sentence "She broke his heart." The word "heart" doesn't literally
mean a physical organ here; instead, it's part of an idiom implying emotional distress.
3. Polysemy and Metaphor: For instance, the word "bright" can mean both "high-intensity light" (literal) and
"intelligence" (metaphorical) in sentences.This polysemy and metaphorical usage enriches sentence meanings.
4. Conceptual Metaphor: For example, the "argument is war" metaphor frames discussions as battles, where
people "attack" each other's positions. This metaphor shapes how we interpret sentences related to arguments.
5. Frame Semantics: For instance, the word "restaurant" evokes a frame containing knowledge about dining,
menus, wait staff, and service.This frame contributes to the interpretation of sentences involving restaurants.
6. Role of Context: Example: "bark." In the sentence "The dog's bark is worse than its bite," "bark" is understood as
the sound a dog makes due to the context.
7. Pragmatic Inferences: For example, in the sentence "Can you pass the salt?" it's understood that the speaker
wants the salt shaker, even though "shaker" is not explicitly mentioned.
8. Conventionalization: Consider idiomatic expressions like "kick the bucket" or "a piece of cake." These idioms
have established meanings beyond the sum of their parts.
9. Construction Grammar
10. Dynamic Nature: For instance, the word "bank" can refer to a financial institution or a riverbank depending on
the context.

15.

Summary
Cognitive linguistics views word meaning as a dynamic component
of sentence meaning. The richness of language is attributed to
polysemy, metaphor, frames, and context, all of which contribute to
the interpretation of sentence meanings. This perspective recognizes
the intricate interplay between individual word meanings and the
larger meaning structures created in sentences.

16.

REFERENCES
• Evans, Vyvyan, and Melanie Green. 2006. Cognitive linguistics: An
introduction. Edinburgh,UK: Edinburgh University Press.
• Haiman, John (1980) ‘Dictionaries and encylopedias’, Lingua, 50,
329–57.
• Langacker, Ronald (1993) ‘Reference-point constructions’, Cognitive
Linguistics, 4, n1–38.