For the sake of argument

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 153-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seana Coulson ◽  
Esther Pascual
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cultural Models ◽  
Affective Responses ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Persuasive Discourse ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Judicial Argumentation

Attested instances of persuasive discourse were examined from the perspective of conceptual blending theory to reveal that serious argumentative points are often made via the construction of unrealistic blended cognitive models. The unrealistic character of these models is often related to compression, a process by which complex relationships are reconstrued with simpler, more familiar concepts. These examples show how speakers’ compressions enable them to strategically frame controversial issues, and to evoke particular sorts of affective responses consistent with their argumentative goals. Analysis points to various constraints on blending. Besides the constitutive and governing principles outlined by Fauconnier & Turner (2002), conceptual integration operations are greatly constrained by the frames and cultural models of a particular community, together with overall knowledge of the communicative event, the cognitive task, the issues dealt with, and the discursive goal. The paper focuses on pre-natal and post-mortem blends in “pro-life” rhetoric and judicial argumentation.

Thinking Through Monuments: Levantine Monuments as Technologies of Community-Scale Motivated Social Cognition

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Timothy Hogue
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Scientific Model ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Iron Age Levant ◽  
Relational Qualities ◽  
Motivated Social Cognition

This study proposes that monuments are technologies through which communities think. I draw on conceptual blending theory as articulated by Mark Turner and Gilles Fauconnier to argue that monuments are material anchors for conceptual integration networks. The network model highlights that monuments are embedded in specific spatial and socio-historical contexts while also emphasizing that they function relationally by engaging the imaginations of communities. An enactivist understanding of these networks helps to explain the generative power of monuments as well as how they can become dynamic and polysemic. By proposing a cognitive scientific model for such relational qualities, this approach also has the advantage of making them more easily quantifiable. I present a test case of monumental installations from the Iron Age Levant (the ceremonial plaza of Karkamiš) to develop this approach and demonstrate its explanatory power. I contend that the theory and methods introduced here can make future accounts of monuments more precise while also opening up new avenues of research into monuments as a technology of motivated social cognition that is enacted on a community-scale.

scholarly journals Conceptual integration theory and British humour: an analysis of the sitcom Miranda

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Jabłońska-Hood
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Meaning Construction ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Mental Space ◽  
Mental Spaces ◽  
Emergent Structure ◽  
Conceptual Integration Theory ◽  
Different Levels

Conceptual integration theory (henceforth CIT), aka conceptual blending, was devised by Fauconnier and Turner (2002) as a model for meaning construction and interpretation. It is based on the notion of a mental space, which originated in Fauconnier's early research (1998). Mental spaces are structures that constitute information pertaining to a particular concept (Fauconnier and Turner 2002: 40). Interestingly, mental spaces can be linked together and blended so as to produce a novel quality not previously present. In this manner, conceptual integration serves the purpose of a theoretical model which throws light on creativity in language use. In my paper, I will apply CIT to British humour in order to use its multiway blending together with its dynamic, online running of the blended contents for the purpose of comedy elucidation. It is crucial to observe that British humour is a complex phenomenon which pertains to many different levels of interpretation, i.e. a linguistic, cultural or a discourse one. CIT possesses a well suited cognitive apparatus which can encompass the complexity of British humour with all its layers. The primary goal of the article is to analyse a selected scene from a sitcom entitled Miranda in order to show the validity of the theory in respect of humour studies. In particular, I will undertake to demonstrate that CIT, with a special emphasis on its principles such as compression and the emergent structure of the blend can deal with many processes that accumulate within British humour and result in laughter. Simultaneously, I will try to demonstrate that frame-shifting, as proposed by Coulson (2015: pp. 167-190), can be of help to CIT in humour explanation.

Implied narratives of medical practice in learning-for-doing texts: a simulation semantics approach to rhetorical analysis

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Oakley
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Rhetorical Analysis ◽  
Meaning Construction ◽  
Linguistic Meaning ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Semantic Approach ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Print Advertisements ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Simulation Semantics

The functional interdependence of word, image, narration, and reason is recognized as a fundamental condition of modern-day persuasion, yet a substantial gap still exists in our understanding of how static textual elements interact to generate dynamic, persuasive narratives. This article attempts to narrow that gap in understanding through the development of a simulation semantics approach to rhetorical analysis as applied to print advertisements in medical journals. Located within the broader field of cognitive linguistics, simulation semantics is a theory of linguistic meaning based on the hypothesis that language users run mental simulations of perceptual and motor content of experiences which distribute inferences from these simulations during language comprehension and production. Using the perspectives and methods of conceptual blending, a programmatic model of meaning construction developed by Fauconnier and Turner (2002) and elaborated by many associates (e.g. Brandt and Brandt, 2002; Coulson and Oakley, 2000), the article attempts to show how a simulation semantic approach can lead to cognitively plausible explanations of how persuasion works in a genre of print advertisements aimed at physicians and medical practitioners I call learning-for-doing. In addition, I seek to further refine conceptual blending theory as an interpretive framework by arguing for the need to incorporate the notion of a grounding space as well as the need to distinguish between conceptual blending and conceptual integration.

CONCEPTUAL BLENDING IN METAPHORS IN THE 2016 PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 281-285
Author(s):  
Alzira Akhsianovna Minikeeva ◽  
Aida Gumerovna Sadykova ◽  
Edward Lazzerini
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Social World ◽  
The Other ◽  
Election Campaign ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
The Social ◽  
Teachers And Students

Purpose: The article examines metaphor as transferring features of the social world onto the other elements of reality, the 2016 pre-election campaign in particular; the theory of conceptual integration of J. Fauconnier and M. Turner is used to analyzing the metaphor. Methodology: As a material of the research, there were examined transcripts of the 2016 pre-election campaign debates for the presidential position of Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. Result: The analysis reveals convergent and divergent features of metaphor in the pre-election campaign of Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. Metaphor in D. Trump’s texts tends to focus on conceptual models ‘we’ and ‘they’ which is deduced with the help of quantitative analysis whereas in H. Clinton’s texts ‘divided nation’ model is mostly described through metaphor. Applications: This research can be used for universities, teachers, and students. Novelty/Originality: In this research, the model of Conceptual Blending in Metaphors in the 2016 Pre-Election Campaign is presented in a comprehensive and complete manner.

scholarly journals Cognitive Motivation for Unaccusative Verbs with Objects in Existential Construction in Chinese

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 876
Author(s):  
Haiying Wu ◽  
Ye Liang ◽  
Liling Tian
Keyword(s):  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Grammatical Structure ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Cognitive Motivation ◽  
Unaccusative Verbs ◽  
Existential Sentences ◽  
Existential Construction ◽  
Linguistic Phenomenon

This study applies conceptual blending and grammatical blending to analyze the meaning and structure construction of the NP1+Vi+NP2 construction in existential construction in Chinese. We found that the NP1+Vi+NP2 construction in existential sentences is the result of conceptual integration and grammatical blending of two subevents with basic grammatical structure of NP1+Vt+NP2 and NP2+Vi respectively. By discussing process of semantic construction and syntactic realization, we derive that the structure of existential sentences is integrated by the input spaces of "the existing object exists (or lies on some status)" and "somewhere exists something". It can concludes that the emergent meaning is "somewhere exists the existing object lying on some status" through analyzing the blending characters. This proves that conceptual integration and grammatical blending theories are animate and have mighty explanatory power in this specific linguistic phenomenon.

scholarly journals Compressions in Ironic Headlines Referring to Politicians of the USA and Lithuania

Verbum ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 86-94
Author(s):  
Dovilė Vengalienė
Keyword(s):  
Online News ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Scientific Model ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
News Discourse ◽  
Time Space ◽  
News Websites ◽  
Human Understanding ◽  
The Usa ◽  
News Headlines

In the article the scientific model of conceptual blending (developed by Mark Turner and Gilles Fauconnier) is applied to the analysis of ironic headlines. It is argued that irony’s ability to make use of this mechanism partially accounts for the use of ironic references in news discourse. Irony is used as a means to reveal the compressions created via blending. An ironist employs the rules of blending to present a variety of eye-catching and brief headlines that contain compressions of Time, Space, Part-Whole, Role-Value, Intentionality, and Analogy/Disanalogy that are compressed into Uniqueness. The multiple compressions of an ironic reference do not only enable the ironist to communicate complex ideas and implications at the scale of human understanding but also facilitate the economy of space (i.e. the complex conceptual integration networks operate in a way that brings elements from a variety of mental input spaces into one blend). An overview of the Vital Relations and their compressions is supported by a number of ironic news headlines collected from popular Lithuanian and American online news websites.

scholarly journals Compounds and culture

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 257-274
Author(s):  
Tore Nesset ◽  
Svetlana Sokolova
Keyword(s):  
Formation Mechanism ◽  
Word Formation ◽  
Slavic Language ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Language System ◽  
Emergent Structure

Abstract This study explores compounds from the perspective of conceptual blending (conceptual integration), and argues that the meaning of compounds arises through the interaction of three levels: (i) input spaces established for the head and non-head components, (ii) a blended space involving compression and emergent structure, i.e. elements not imported from the input spaces, and (iii) the language system as a whole and the culture this system is part of. With regard to (iii) we propose the “Culture-to-Compound Hypothesis”, according to which compounding can be recruited to represent culturally “novel” content in languages where compounding enjoys a peripheral status in the language system. The examples discussed in the article come from Norwegian (a Germanic language where compounding is a central word-formation mechanism) and Russian (a Slavic language where compounding is more marginal in the language system).

scholarly journals Conceptual Blending, the Second Naïveté, and the Emergence of New Meanings

Open Theology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-45
Author(s):  
Jason P. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Image Of God ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
God Concept ◽  
New Meanings ◽  
Conceptual Integration Theory ◽  
The Image Of God

Abstract The field of cognitive linguistics has generated a powerful set of theoretical tools for analyzing the ways in which we understand, communicate, and create concepts. In the conceptual integration theory of Gilles Fauconnier and Mark Turner, the cognitive process known as double-scope blending provides a highdefinition model for the phenomenological hermeneutics of Paul Ricoeur. In particular, Ricoeur’s notion of developing a second naivete through the blending of ancient and contemporary worlds of meanings can be viewed as the double-scope integration of concepts across disparate conceptual frames. This re-modeling of Ricoeur’s hermeneutics gives it a new level of clarity and precision in cognitive scientific terms, which in turn may be utilized in service of theological and other forms of discourse. Conceptual integration theory also sheds light on other Ricoeur-inspired hermeneutical models and makes a case for the revelatory character of scripture through the meaning-making process of interpretation. The interpretation of the image of God concept in an evolutionary worldview serves as a heuristic example of second naivete as double-scope blending.

scholarly journals Interrogatives in the Field: Imaginary Questions, Real Answers, and the Law

2002 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
Esther Pascual
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
On Line ◽  
The Law

This paper deals with the use of imaginary or fictive questions as argumentative devices that can structure on-line discourse and reasoning in legal settings. The theoretical perspective used is the theory of conceptual integration networks or conceptual blending (Fauconnier & Turner 1996, 1998, 2002).

scholarly journals Cognitive operations of plant meat construal 
in Engish media discourse

2021 ◽  
pp. 97-111
Author(s):  
Tatiana I. Semenova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Product ◽  
Free Food ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Media Discourse ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Cognitive Operations ◽  
Specific Complex ◽  
Nominal Compounds ◽  
Linguistic Structures

This paper examines discursive representation of the concept PLANT MEAT in English mass media. The study discusses cognitive operations of categorization, conceptual integration, focus shift involved in conceptualization of a trendy meatless food product. The focus is made on nominal compounds like meatless meat and fake meat in terms of conceptual integration. The study of the relations between formally integrated linguistic structures and conceptually integrated structures supports the claim that the meanings of the compounds are not predictable from their parts. The conclusion is made that the compounds prompt for a specific complex mapping scheme and conceptual blending. Conceptual blends meatless meat and fake meat are viewed as alternative construals of the concept PLANT MEAT and as a result of focus shift mechanism in the semantic structure of the blends. Conceptual blend meatless meat highlights the property ‘absence of meat’ while conceptual blend fake meat focuses on the property ‘imitation’. The concept PLANT MEAT is a way of understanding food made from plants with the appearance similar to meat. The paper reveals pragmatic potential of the conceptual blend PLANT MEAT in shaping health and environmental benefits of a meat-free food style in media discourse.

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