Cognitive Semantics Final Questions
1. Tell about types of cognitive process.
Cognitive processes refer to mental activities involved in acquiring, processing, and storing
knowledge. Key types include perception (interpreting sensory input), attention (focusing
on specific stimuli), memory (storing and retrieving information), learning (gaining new
knowledge or skills), reasoning (drawing conclusions), problem-solving (overcoming
challenges), and decision-making (choosing among alternatives). These processes are
interconnected and essential for understanding and interacting with the world.
2. What is the cognitive semantics?
Cognitive semantics is a branch of linguistics that examines the relationship between
language, thought, and human experience. It argues that meaning is rooted in our mental
representations and conceptual structures. Unlike traditional semantic theories, it
emphasizes how meaning is shaped by perception, context, and culture. For example,
metaphors, such as 'time is money,' reflect how abstract concepts are understood through
concrete experiences.
3. Tell about one research work on cognitive semantics.
One influential study in cognitive semantics is George Lakoff and Mark Johnson's
'Metaphors We Live By' (1980). This work introduced the concept of conceptual metaphors,
which shape how we think and speak. For instance, the metaphor 'argument is war'
influences expressions like 'defend your point' or 'attack the idea.' Their research
highlighted how language reflects underlying cognitive patterns, transforming how linguists
approach semantics.
4. Explain three basic functions of language.
Language serves three primary functions: expressive, informative, and directive. The
expressive function allows individuals to share emotions, thoughts, and experiences, such
as saying, 'I feel happy.' The informative function communicates facts and knowledge, like
'Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.' The directive function influences others' behavior
through commands or requests, such as 'Please close the door.' These functions illustrate
language's role in human interaction.
5. What factors can limit the meaning?
Several factors can limit meaning, including ambiguity, context, cultural differences, and
personal experience. Ambiguity arises when words or phrases have multiple
interpretations, such as 'bank' (a financial institution or riverbank). Context determines the
intended meaning, while cultural variations influence connotations. Additionally, individual
experiences shape how people perceive and understand language.
6. Tell about types of linguistic meaning.
Linguistic meaning can be categorized into referential, connotative, and pragmatic types.
Referential meaning connects words to real-world objects or concepts, such as 'cat'
referring to a specific animal. Connotative meaning includes emotional or cultural
associations, like 'home' suggesting warmth or family. Pragmatic meaning depends on
usage context, such as understanding 'Can you pass the salt?' as a request, not a literal
question.
7. Tell about Sign theory.
Sign theory, developed by Ferdinand de Saussure, is a foundational concept in semiotics. It
explains the relationship between the signifier (the form of a word) and the signified (the
concept it represents). For example, the word 'tree' (signifier) represents the concept of a
tree (signified). This arbitrary connection underpins the structure of language and meaning
formation.
8. Effect of Morphology to interpretation of meaning.
Morphology, the study of word structure, significantly influences meaning. Changes in
morphemes, such as prefixes, suffixes, or root words, alter word meaning. For instance,
adding 'un-' to 'happy' creates 'unhappy,' reversing the meaning. Morphological analysis
helps decode nuanced meanings and grammatical relationships in sentences.
9. Pragmatics and word meaning.
Pragmatics studies how context influences the interpretation of meaning. It focuses on
speaker intention, listener interpretation, and situational factors. For example, the phrase
'It's cold here' could imply a request to close a window, depending on context. Pragmatics
bridges the gap between literal word meanings and their practical use in communication.
10. Phonetics and word meaning.
Phonetics, the study of speech sounds, affects word meaning by ensuring accurate
pronunciation and comprehension. Mispronunciation can lead to misunderstanding,
especially in tonal languages like Mandarin, where pitch changes alter meaning. Phonetic
analysis also helps distinguish homophones, like 'sea' and 'see,' ensuring clarity in spoken
communication.