Cognitive Linguistics Research Articles

Of Mice and Canines: Anthropomorphizing Animals in Art Spiegelman’s Maus

This research article is mainly concerned with the wide-ranging interpretation of animal metaphors especially the dogs and mice in the graphic novel Maus. In the novel, the mice are the stand-in for the Jews, and the American are taken as dogs. Pondering the metaphor’s aptness and authenticity, the study employs the theories of metaphors and interrogates the metaphorical use of mice and canines in the novel. The methodology of the study is informed by the close readings of the grammatextuality. The analysis of the verbal and visual texts of the graphic novels is carried out by the comparative analysis method. The relation of the verbal and visual sections of the graphic novel are further elucidated by the analysis of the arrangement of the images. In order for the interpretation and the analysis of the evidence collected, an analytical framework consisting of two concepts: suppression of differences and the contradictions of internal validity has been developed so that the mice and canine metaphors in the verbal and visual texts are examined. The graphic novel that has drawn the attention of cognitive linguists to Posthuman animal studies scholars yields an argument: the metaphors employed in this novel lack aptness and authenticity. The researcher argues that the comparison of Americans as dogs and Jews as mice has been interrogated and charged the simplistic and shallow use of metaphor that has created internal inconsistency and turns out to be the inappropriate comparison.

Conceptual Metonymy as a Process of Polysemic Extension: ‘Repugnance’ and ‘Flight’ in Hittite

The purpose of this paper is to reconsider (expanding and deepening with new data the ideas presented in Pozza 2021) a Hittite etymology to corroborate the hypothesis initially put forward by Kronasser (1952-1953) with the help of the theoretical framework of cognitive linguistics. The specific analysis of the verb pukk-, pugga- ‘to be repugnant, hateful’, therefore, will be carried out both under a new interpretation of the original PIE root and in the light of the theoretical issues connected explicitly with conceptual metonymy, capable of motivating semantic change.

An Exploration of Post-Reading Continuation Writing Strategies from the Perspective of Cognitive Linguistics

This study explores post-reading continuation writing from the perspective of cognitive linguistics, emphasizing the close interplay between language and cognition. Grounded in key concepts such as cognitive schemas, conceptual integration, and frame semantics, the research highlights how activating learners’ existing cognitive structures can enhance their ability to comprehend texts and creatively extend narratives. Given that continuation writing demands not only accurate understanding but also imaginative and coherent expression, traditional teaching methods often fall short by focusing on surface imitation without fostering deeper cognitive engagement. This paper addresses these challenges by proposing strategies that align with cognitive linguistic principles to stimulate students’ autonomous creativity and improve writing coherence. The findings offer valuable theoretical insights and practical guidance for language educators, contributing to more effective integration of reading and writing instruction and advancing the overall development of learners’ language proficiency.

Banter reframed

Abstract This article discusses banter by combining insights from previous work on pragmatics and discourse with recent developments in figurative language use within Cognitive Linguistics. Drawing on an initial corpus of examples from TV series scripts, this study connects observed usage patterns to prior conversational work on banter types. It then accounts for these patterns through an examination of their pragmatic functions and of such cognitive operations as echoing and contrast, which cooperate with well-known discourse-oriented cognitive mechanisms like frameshifting and reframing. Banter is pragmatically defined in terms of pretended impoliteness and speaker’s pretended distancing from pre-established assumptions in what has been termed second-order dissociation. This phenomenon is revisited here through the lens of cognitive modeling, highlighting its role in humor creation and relational bonding. This characteristic is analytically related to the previous usage patterns and their cognitive motivation. Finally, a distinction is introduced between attribute-based and scenario-based banter. The former is further subdivided, according to communicative function, into other-directed, self-directed, and mixed banter. The latter involves mental simulations of pretendedly disparaging humor, where participants either contribute to the simulation or try to outdo one another. This classification improves on earlier taxonomies by grounding banter types in identifiable cognitive-pragmatic patterns, offering a more systematic and explanatory account of the phenomenon.

Предикаты со значением богатства/бедности как языковые маркеры динамики социального состояния

This article is devoted to the study of verbal predicates with the meaning of wealth/poverty and their phraseological analogues in order to identify their role in the linguistic representation of socio-economic relations. The article identifies groups and subgroups within the micro-fields of wealth/poverty, performs a functional-semantic analysis of the elements of these micro-fields, and determines their main contextual meanings, which testify to the peculiarities of the perception of the phenomena of wealth/poverty by native speakers of modern Russian. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that, based on the main provisions of discourse, cognitive, and communicative-pragmatic linguistics, it comprehensively describes the main semantic features of verbal predicates of wealth/poverty and their phraseological correspondences in modern Russian taking into account how these units reflect the dynamics of the social state. As a result of the study, it was established that verbal predicates with the meaning of wealth/poverty and their phraseological correspondences are actively used in modern Russian. These units possess a significant emotional and socio-cultural charge, being an important means of describing socio-economic aspects of life and reflecting changes in society.

Exploring 'Give' in English and Equivalent Expressions in Vietnamese: A Cognitive Linguistics Approach

This study investigates the metaphorical extensions and cognitive schemas of the English verb “give” and its Vietnamese equivalents through a corpus-based and cognitive linguistic approach. Drawing on data from trusted linguistic resources such as the Cambridge Dictionary, COCA, Hoàng Phê Dictionary, and Glosbe, the research explores how the verb "give" is extended metaphorically across various semantic fields (e.g., offer, allow, perform, grant) and how its Vietnamese counterparts (e.g., cho, tặng, biếu, ban) reflect cultural and cognitive distinctions. The study reveals that while both English and Vietnamese share fundamental embodied schema such as TRANSFER, CONTAINER, FORCE, Vietnamese emphasizes social hierarchy, relational politeness, and cultural formality much more explicitly. Through contrastive analysis and real context examples, this research highlights how verbs "give" not only express action but also encode deeply rooted cultural values and cognitive models. The findings have significant implications for language teaching, translation, and cross-cultural understanding by showing that literal translations of “give” may not always capture the intended nuance or function across languages.

Comparative Contents of Idioms with Comparisons in English and Vietnamese from a Cognitive View: A Contrastive Analysis

Idioms with comparisons are common in both English and Vietnamese. These idioms are formed by three component parts, namely comparative contents, comparative connectors, and comparative conventional images (Giang, 2023). This article uncovers the comparative contents of idioms with comparisons in English and Vietnamese in the light of cognitive linguistics through idiom analysability (Langlotz, 2006). This contrastive analysis presents the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms with comparisons in terms of their comparative contents, including closed comparative contents and open comparative contents. A manual search of Giang's (2018) idiom collection helped to establish a corpus of 672 English and 731 Vietnamese idioms with comparisons, which served as the data for the research. The results of this study show that the most significant difference between English and Vietnamese idioms with comparisons lies in the distribution of categories of comparative contents. The closed comparative contents of idioms with comparisons in Vietnamese are more prevalent than those in English, and vice versa for open comparative contents. The average proportion of closed comparative contents through idioms with comparisons in English is slightly higher than that of those in Vietnamese. The open comparative contents can be possibly and impossibly explicit; however, the possibly explicit open comparative contents of idioms with comparisons are unique in Vietnamese.

THE SEMANTICS OF THE CONCEPTS OF FRIENDSHIP AND ENMITY IN LITERARY TEXTS (BASED ON ENGLISH AND UZBEK FOLK PROVERBS)

This study explores the semantic and conceptual representations of friendship and enmity as reflected in English and Uzbek folk proverbs and their artistic deployment in literary texts. Grounded in the frameworks of conceptual semantics and metaphor theory, the research examines how these emotionally and culturally charged concepts are constructed, moralized, and transmitted across generations. A comparative analysis of selected proverbs reveals shared universal values—such as loyalty, honesty, and caution—while also highlighting culturally specific metaphors and ethical nuances. English proverbs often emphasize individual psychology and strategic awareness, whereas Uzbek proverbs tend to foreground communal identity, spiritual restraint, and moral integrity. Through textual analysis of works by Shakespeare, Dickens, Kodiriy, and Hoshimov, the study demonstrates how literary authors embed proverbial wisdom to deepen narrative meaning and illuminate character dynamics. The findings underscore the role of proverbs not only as semantic units but also as literary tools that convey cultural memory, social values, and ethical frameworks. This research contributes to cross-cultural paremiology, cognitive linguistics, and the study of literature as a vessel for collective human understanding. Keywords: Friendship, Enmity, Proverbs, Semantics, Metaphor, English Literature, Uzbek Literature, Cognitive Linguistics, Cultural Values, Paremiology.

Combining Multimodal Metaphor and Metonymy Models for Localizing Asian Advertisements: The Case of China and Japan

The study of multimodal metaphor and metonymy is an emerging hot spot in the field of cognitive linguistics and multimodal research. Based on the theory of cognitive linguistics, this paper discusses in depth the definition, representation, meaning construction mechanism of multimodal metaphors and metonymy and their applications in different discourse. Based on the characteristics of advertisements in some Asian countries, the paper reveals the characteristics and influencing factors of advertisements in different regions by analyzing the cultural background, values, consumer behaviors, advertisement strategies and creative performances of different Asian countries, so as to realize the in-depth fusion of the multimodal metaphor and metonymy model and the localization of Asian advertisements.

A Study of Conceptual Metaphors in Chinese and English Inspirational Songs

Based mainly on the conceptual metaphor theory of cognitive linguistics, this paper is a study of Chinese and English popular song lyrics with inspirational themes.Based on a self-constructed corpus of Chinese and English songs, this paper summarizes the types of inspirational metaphors in Chinese and English songs, conducts a comparative analysis of conceptual metaphors in Chinese and English inspirational songs, summarizes the similarities and differences, and explores the reasons behind the differences, thus demonstrating the cog-nitive nature of metaphors and enriching the cognitive connotation of meta-phors.

COGNITIVE CONTEXTUAL MODEL IN AMERICAN POLITICAL DISCOURSE

This article explores the cognitive contextual model within American political discourse, focusing on its role in shaping public perceptions, constructing societal ideologies, and facilitating effective communication between political figures and the public. Employing cognitive-discursive analysis, the study investigates how linguistic strategies, such as framing, metaphorical constructs, emotional appeals, and repetition, are utilized in political speeches to influence public opinion and advance political agendas. The research is grounded in an interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from cognitive linguistics, discourse analysis, and political science. The analysis of public speeches by U.S. presidents highlights the interplay between language, cognition, and context, emphasizing the importance of shared knowledge and cognitive structures in understanding political messaging. By developing a cognitive contextual model, the study identifies key elements such as macro-level goals, micro-level linguistic features, and the implicit and explicit mechanisms that underpin political discourse. This research contributes to the fields of discourse studies and political communication, providing a comprehensive framework for analyzing the cognitive and contextual dimensions of political language and offering practical applications for enhancing communication strategies in political contexts.

„ALLER AUGEN WAREN AUF IHN GERICHTET“ – EINE ÜBERSETZUNGSBEZOGENE ANALYSE SOMATISCHER AUSDRÜCKE IN JOANNE ROWLINGS HARRY POTTER UND DER STEIN DER WEISEN AUS PERSPEKTIVE DER KOGNITIVEN LINGUISTIK

In this paper, the translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is analysed with respect to the degree of equivalence in translating somatic expressions from the perspective of usage-based Cognitive Linguistics. Thus, it is demonstrated that translations may conceptually diverge from the source text to varying extents, provided that the target language does not encompass these cultural linguistic frame conditions. Cognitive Linguistics provides an appropriate theoretical and methodological framework for addressing phraseology-related issues in both language and translation studies. As such, sentence structures will be analysed in terms of Trajector-Landmarke relationships and conceptually-metaphorological considerations of Cognitive Linguistics.

Modeling Of The Conceptual Field “Communication” in Russian

Aim. COMMUNICATION as a sociolinguistic concept is being investigated in order to determine its core and periphery means of semantic space expression.Methodology. In the course of the research, the methods of component, lexicographic and seme analysis with selecting of the semes and sememes of the concept of COMMUNICATION were used, as well as cognitive and empirical analysis of semantic principles of this conceptual field.Results. Based on the results of the analysis of dictionary sources (“Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language” by S. I. Ozhegov, “The Great Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language” by S. A. Kuznetsov, “The Great Universal Dictionary of the Russian Language”, etc.) and real language materials, it can be determined that in the structure of conceptual field of COMMUNICATION the core and periphery (immediate and further) are distinguished. There are 4 components in the core: “the relationship between subjects or objects”, “communication”, “connection of something”, “acquaintance”, while its near and far periphery include the dominant semes of each semantic group: “interpersonal relationship”, “inner unity between people”, “objective relationship” (the far periphery: love affair, kinship, friendship, inner connection between reader and writer, logical connection, indirect connection, etc.); “communication between somebody-something”, “technical means of communication”, “department providing communication” (distant peripherals: intercity communication, district communication, telephone, Internet, communication service mail, communication channel, communication department, etc.); “mutual attraction”, “cohesion”, “part of a building structure” (the far periphery: the connection of atoms in a molecule, clay for stones, structure, etc.); “useful acquaintance” (the far periphery: an influential person, patronage, fraud, etc.).Research implications. The concept of COMMUNICATION in the Russian language is one of the basic in the system of socio-cultural values of a person. This is due to the fact that COMMUNICATION as a linguistic phenomenon affects a person’s mentality throughout his/ her social life. In the Russian language, many linguistic problems of modern cognitive and sociolinguistic practices remain understudied. The results of the research can be used in describing the cognitive characteristics of concepts, as well as in teaching linguistic courses “Modern Russian language” (“Lexicology”), “Cognitive Linguistics”, “Cultural Language Studies”, “Linguistic text analysis”, “Philological text analysis”.

Comparing Attitudes of Local and International Electronic Newspapers on Anti-Muslim Crimes: A Corpus-Based Cognitive Approach

This research work investigates the representation of anti-Muslim xenophobia in online news media, focusing on two specific incidents: a hate crime and a terrorist attack targeting Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers in mosques in New Zealand and Egypt, respectively. Given the recent surge in such crimes and their profound impact on Muslim communities, an examination of how these events framed in the press is critical. Newspapers play a vital role in shaping public discourse and influencing societal ideologies through the strategic use of persuasive language. The paper therefore leverages the synergistic potential of Cognitive and Corpus Linguistics to analyze the portrayal of these two anti-Muslim acts. Specifically, Fillmore’s Frame Semantics theory provides the theoretical framework, enabling a combined cognitive and corpus-driven investigation. Corpus linguistic analysis, facilitated by Yoshikoder and aConCorde software programs, is employed to examine a corpus of articles drawn from Akhbarelyom (Egypt), NZ Herald (New Zealand), and The Guardian (UK). This selection of newspapers allows for a comparative analysis of how these incidents are reported across different cultural and geographical contexts. By applying corpus linguistic techniques, the study seeks to identify underlying ideologies embedded within the news coverage.

Subjectivity in the Poetry of Rain Case Study of Never have I seen a caravan of camels so relentless—by Abu Tamm?m

This study examines the portrayal of rain in ancient Arabic poetry through the lens of cognitive linguistics, focusing on the interplay of temporal forms, mental spaces, and emotional resonance. The research explores how poets construct meaning by blending past, present, and future into a single moment, merging drought, rainfall, and its aftermath. The analysis reveals that the poet’s use of grammatical tenses functions as "instructions" for constructing mental spaces, enabling the blending of reality and imagination. Emotion plays a central role in this process, as metaphorical schemata connect images and feelings, creating poetic iconicity. The study also highlights the poet’s ability to inhabit blended spaces, where desire and imagination intersect with reality, offering a comprehensive view of the world. By integrating cognitive and affective dimensions, this research provides a framework for understanding how temporal references and mental spaces shape the emotional and narrative impact of rain poetry in Arabic literature.

The study of the concept in the context of cognitive linguistics (using the example of the concept "will" in Russian)

The object of research in this article is a concept in the aspect of cognitive linguistics. In the middle of the last century, a cognitive field appeared in science, which unites many scientific disciplines. Cognitive science explores the human mind, its thinking abilities, consciousness, memory, etc. Language is used by humans not just to exchange information, it structures knowledge about the world. The concept is a basic concept of cognitive linguistics, combining language, consciousness and culture. The purpose of this article is to study the content of the concept and build its cognitive model using the example of the concept of "will", which will reveal the ways of structuring knowledge about the world, as well as the ways of their evolution. The methodology of conceptual analysis is based on the study of the meanings of words and expressions that actualize the concept in the language. Etymological analysis makes it possible to identify the central image of the concept, around which conceptual meanings are layered. The study of the concept of "will" in cognitive linguistics makes a significant contribution to understanding the interaction of language, thinking and culture, as well as to the development of methods for analyzing linguistic and cultural concepts. This study for the first time combines the analysis of the historical development of the concept with its cognitive structures such as metaphors, frames and prototypes, which allows us to create a comprehensive understanding of the concept of "will" in the Russian language. A comprehensive study of the ways and means of lexical expression of the concept of "will" reveals the conceptual content. All of the above determines the relevance of this article. The research results can be used in cognitive linguistics, psychology, and philosophy of language.

Constructing threat through proximization in digital news: A multimodal analysis

This paper explores the multimodal realization of social polarization in European digital news through the construction of threat. Drawing from both Media and Communication Studies and Cognitive Critical Discourse Analysis, this study investigates how media framing and event-construal operations shape news interpretations through a proximization strategy. For this purpose, a multilingual sample of 73 European newsbites about the attack on Brazilian congress by the followers of Former President Jair Bolsonaro was collected. The analysis reveals several framing devices and construal operations that present the events in Brazil as relevant and potentially threatening to European audiences. Findings indicate that media framing encourages European readers to sympathize with Brazil’s current government under Lula da Silva, while portraying Bolsonaro’s supporters as an imminent threat, thereby reflecting and reinforcing polarization in public perception. These results offer valuable insights for media discourse analysts, cognitive linguists, and researchers examining polarized discourse.

Defining Concept Drift and Its Variants in Research Data Management: A Scientometric Case Study on Geographic Information Science

ABSTRACTJust as the language used to express them, concepts constantly evolve, due to changing cultural norms, scientific progress, or major events that (re)shape our understanding of the world. For example, as humans increasingly contribute to disasters, e.g., by altering the landscape, the line between natural and anthropogenic disasters blurs. This has far‐reaching consequences for disaster response, policymaking, and also research. In research data management (RDM), evolving terms like natural disaster or global warming bring challenges for data retrieval, integration, interpretation, and reuse. This highlights the importance of studying concept drift, defined as the changes in a concept's meaning over time. While concept drift has been explored in numerous domains, including cognitive science, linguistics, semiotics, and ontology evolution, a clear definition within RDM is still lacking. This is significant as it may reduce recall during RDM‐based data retrieval. To bridge this gap, this work proposes definitions of concept drift and related phenomena, such as shifts and merges, to foster cross‐domain consensus. Using a scientometric dataset in GIScience, we apply these definitions to identify representative cases of concept drift. Our findings reveal that concepts in the GIScience domain may undergo various changes, including birth, drift, and shift, among others. These findings emphasize the need to monitor concept drift in RDM to uphold FAIR data principles, thereby improving precision and recall when searching for relevant literature or data. Lastly, we highlight the potential to measure concept drift over space (place) in addition to time alone.

Metaphoric language and nationalism: A stylistic study of National Anthems of SAARC Nations

This study explores the metaphoric language and stylistic elements in the national anthems of SAARC countries—Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan—to understand how they articulate nationalism, unity, and identity. The research employs Conceptual Metaphor Theory and the Model of World Englishes to analyze the use of metaphors, poetic devices, and rhetorical strategies in these anthems. Dominant metaphors such as Nation as a Family, Nation as a Divine Entity, and Nation as a Land of Promise are identified, reflecting cultural values, historical narratives, and collective aspirations. Poetic devices like repetition, symbolism, and alliteration amplify the emotional resonance of the anthems, while rhetorical strategies such as unity in diversity and historical remembrance reconcile past struggles with contemporary aspirations. The findings reveal that SAARC national anthems serve as auditory embodiments of national identity, weaving together historical, cultural, and ideological narratives. They transcend mere ceremonial functions to become dynamic texts of cultural diplomacy and ideological persuasion, fostering patriotism and social cohesion. The study highlights the transformative power of language in shaping collective consciousness, offering insights into how linguistic and stylistic choices navigate the region’s multilingualism, religious pluralism, and postcolonial identity. By bridging cognitive linguistics and sociolinguistics, this research contributes to cross-cultural studies on nationalism and provides valuable perspectives for inclusive nationbuilding in pluralistic societies.

Perception of Historical Fakes: Experimental Approach and Frame Analysis

This paper presents the findings of an interdisciplinary study addressing the challenges of countering historical disinformation. Data collected between 2019 and 2021 regarding the perceptions of students in non-history disciplines towards fake information about Russian history published in foreign media are analyzed. The relevance of this research is underscored by the need to gather empirical data on the processes through which Western media disseminate false information about Russia's history, given the significant risk of such narratives infiltrating public consciousness and adversely affecting the cognitive security of society. Utilizing traditional philological analysis alongside cognitive linguistics and frame semantics, the study elucidates the mechanisms by which misleading meanings are integrated into objective historical knowledge. These mechanisms include false markers of credibility and emotionally charged vocabulary. The analysis reveals that respondents often rely on linguistic features of the text, particularly emotionally marked units and negative rhetoric, which do not always facilitate the accurate identification of the truthfulness of historical information. It was found that in cases involving specialized, controversial, or lesser-known historical facts, the use of fakes within a sandwich structure (truth-lie) can lead to a replacement of genuine knowledge with distorted perceptions, thereby blurring the foundations of objective personal understanding.