Abstract
The paper focuses on the cognitive foundation of English adjectives that denote mental characteristics of human beings. Several cognitive models have been advanced in an attempt to account for the semantic structure underlying the lexical category in question. After reviewing these models, a method for determining which of them most accurately captures the “cognitive reality” of English adjectival “deep structure” is proposed. The paper concludes with arguments for the inclusion of additional “motion attributes” to Lakoff’s ICM (1987), namely, “guide’s support” and “speed”.
Highlights
The paper focuses on the cognitive foundation of English adjectives that denote mental characteristics of human beings
The following hypothesis is advanced: The conceptual basis of the adjectival category is formed by archetypical conceptions/ideas specified by certain cognitive models
The category of adjectives denoting mental properties is structured by image schematic and metaphorical cognitive models
Summary
The paper focuses on the cognitive foundation of English adjectives that denote mental characteristics of human beings. Several cognitive models have been advanced in an attempt to account for the semantic structure underlying the lexical category in question. After reviewing these models, a method for determining which of them most accurately captures the “cognitive reality” of English adjectival “deep structure” is proposed. Categorization is the result of implicit reasoning that unwittingly gives rise to subjective worldviews quite removed from “reality” From this it is clear why investigating categories is imperative, as elucidation of its mechanisms will enable a better understanding of the way in which people think about and interpret the world. The category of adjectives denoting mental properties is structured by image schematic and metaphorical cognitive models
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