School of English - AUTh

Description

The course offers an introduction to Cognitive Linguistics. It aims to familiarize students with the basic principles and practical applications of Cognitive Linguistics.

In this framework, semantics occupies a prominent position. It deals with the description and analysis of conceptual structure and considers our ability to conceptualize and organize our thoughts in different ways, which are reflected in our linguistic expressions.

The basic tenets are:

• Perspectivization (Cognitive Grammar, Grammatical Construal)
• Dynamicity and Flexibility (Networks and Prototypes)
• Non-autonomy (embodiment, metaphor, metonymy, image schemas)
• Experiential grounding (Frames, Constructions, Usage-based aspects)

Students are expexted to:

• get acquainted with the basic concepts and tools of Cognitive Linguistics
• acquire the ability to apply such theoretical issues and tools for the study of areas of grammar
• acquire critical ability and to understand the usefulness of the cognitive linguistics framework
• motivate independent research on specific issues

Prototype theory

Prototypes and categories
The structure of categories, conceptual hierarchies
Cultural models

From Experience to Concepts to Language

Categories in Thought and Language
Conceptual categories and grammatical categories

Extension of categories

Metaphor and Metonymy

Frames, Domains, Constructions

Cognitive Grammar

Modality, Aspect, Prepositions, …

Applied and Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Language teaching, Cultural studies, Lexicography
Effects on foreign language teaching

Assessment: Written exam

Study material

Selected chapters from:

Dąbrowska, E. & Divjak, D. (eds.). 2015. Handbook of Cognitive Linguistics. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton.

Dancygier, B. (ed.). 2017. The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive Linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Evans V., & Green M. 2007. Cognitive Linguistics. An Introduction. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Geeraerts, D. 2006. Cognitive Linguistics: Basic Readings. Mouton de Gruyter. Berlin, New York.

Geeraerts, D. & Cuyckens, H. (eds.) 2010. The Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Linguistics. Oxford: OUP.

Littlemore, J. & Taylor, J. R. (eds.). 2014. The Bloomsbury Companion to Cognitive Linguistics. London/New York: Bloomsbury, 

Radden, G. & Dirven, R. 2007. Cognitive English Grammar. J. Benjamins Publishing Company.

Tyler, A. 2012. Cognitive Linguistics and Second Language Learning. New York: Routledge

Ungerer F., Schmid H.-J. 2006. An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics. London: Routledge.

Teaching