Mental spaces in discourse and interaction: Todd Oakley, Anders Hougaard (Eds.), John Benjamins, Amsterdam/Philadelphia, 2008, 262 pages

Abstract

[Extract] Mental Spaces in Discourse and Interaction, edited by Todd Oakley and Anders Hougaard, presents different ways of applying mental spaces theory (Fauconnier, 1994, 1997) and conceptual integration theory (Fauconnier and Turner, 2002) to discourse analysis. According to the editors, the volume has two purposes: one is to stimulate discussions within mental spaces and conceptual integration theory as well as cognitive linguistics in general of a joint discursive enterprise or of complementary discursive enterprises, including a thorough exchange of philosophical, theoretical and methodological viewpoints. The other is to provide other researchers who work with discourse and/or interaction and who take an interest in cognitive issues with a palette of different ways in which blending theorists have made discourse and interaction an object of inquiry (p. 2). The editors divide the chapters into those examining how discourse functions as a vehicle for particular cognitive processes of conceptual integration (Chapters 1–5) and those examining how particular cognitive processes of conceptual integration arise from interaction between interlocutors (Chapters 6 and 7). There are also three commentary chapters (8–10) which reflect on the previous ones. After briefly introducing mental spaces and conceptual integration theory, the editors discuss its relation to ethnomethodology, conversation analysis and discursive psychology, foregrounding the possibilities of employing conversation analysis in exploring cognitive issues.