scholarly journals Vorbereitende Bedingungen von Sprechakten und mentale Räume

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Huelva Unternbäumen
Keyword(s):  
Speech Act ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Space Theory ◽  
Mental Space ◽  
Mental Spaces

In this paper I shall analyze interaction sequences in which the interactants explicitly thematize and problematize whether the preparatory conditions of a speech act in a specific enunciation situation can be considered as satisfied or not. In these sequences the interaction develops an open, and consequently, observable contextualization process. In order to describe the dynamics of this process, central concepts and methods of Mental Space Theory will be applied. Contextualization will be characterized as a continuous process of construction, connection and modification of mental spaces.

scholarly journals The Meaning of Mood – Embedded Clauses in Spanish as a Case in Point

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (47) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Helle Dam Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Space Theory ◽  
Linguistic Context ◽  
Cognitive Framework ◽  
Embedded Clauses ◽  
Mental Space ◽  
Cognitive Frameworks ◽  
Mental Spaces ◽  
Interpretive Process

Mental space theory is a cognitive framework that explains the interpretation of linguistic expressions: it explains how interlocutors get from input to output. Whereas in traditional semantics words are taken to possess a static, prefabricated meaning, cognitive frameworks take meaning to be the result of an interpretive process.This article explains how mental space theory can be used in an analysis of mood in embedded clauses in Spanish. It starts from the assumption that the meaning of mood is constructed by interlocutors in an interpretive process on the basis of information from the modal morphemes combined with information from the linguistic as well as the extra-linguistic context. The interpretive process is represented as a sequence of mental spaces which are linked and structured on the basis of information from language and context.

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.

scholarly journals Travelling to the described present: mago-space in the Strugatskys’ Monday starts on Saturday

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-104
Author(s):  
Наталья Тулякова ◽  
Наталья Никитина
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Classical Literature ◽  
Mental Space ◽  
Mental Spaces ◽  
Do So

Fantasy and science fiction genres extensively use imaginary settings and locations different from realistic ones but striving to look real. Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, pioneers of the science fiction genre in Russia, actively exploited the potential of both genres in their early tale, Monday starts on Saturday (1964), which combines features of the two space types. The present paper analyses the principles of creating ‘mago-space’ in the book. To do so, we look at the spatial organization of the events involved in the plot and the personages’ ideas regarding space. The research will enable us to clarify the role of space in conveying the authors’ message, which in this tale is quite explicit. We argue that the space changes significantly within the book, accompanying genre transformations and the development of the protagonist. Since the tale uses ‘mental sublocations’ as the main units of spatial organization, each part is determined by a certain type of cultural heritage. In the first part, it is the mental space of folklore and classical literature, in the second – that of mythology and science fiction, and in the final – philosophy and science. Mental spaces that coexist and follow various laws form a narrative which turns out to be a journey to the described present in the variety of its forms.

scholarly journals Dismemberment of Kathleen’s Psyche in Joyce Carol Oates’s 'The Rise of Life on Earth'

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-244
Author(s):  
Kulamangalam Thiagarajan Tamilmani ◽  
Rathinasamy Nagalakshmi
Keyword(s):  
Literary Texts ◽  
Joyce Carol Oates ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Textual Space ◽  
Mental Space ◽  
Mental Spaces ◽  
Life On Earth

Postmodern literary texts have been exploring characters that are whimsically strange. The tacit plots in the postmodern textual space enable the writers to construct and manifest the mental space of the characters in the textual world. The Rise of Life on Earth written by Joyce Carol Oates concocts the emotional estrangement of the protagonist, Kathleen Hennessy. Decrypting the text amplifies the unabating efforts of Kathleen to survive in a world that has been portrayed as a larger, repressive and pernicious family. Her masquerade to be a shy, passive and well-behaved girl hides the menacing vengeance that has culminated as a result of abuses and afflictions. Her mental spaces are constructed during the course of narration. This paper purports to scrutinize the fragmented psyche of Kathleen and the conceptual integration of mental space and textual space that replicates both social and individualistic reality and expands the understanding of Oates’ text.

Non-canonical passives in Chinese

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-106
Author(s):  
Yi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Base Space ◽  
Space Theory ◽  
High Speed Train ◽  
Space Operations ◽  
Passive Construction ◽  
Cognitive Operations ◽  
Mental Space ◽  
Intransitive Verbs ◽  
Commit Suicide

Abstract This paper examines a non-canonical passive construction in Chinese. In this construction, the passive marker bei can proceed a constituent including intransitive verbs, adjectives and nouns, in such expressions as bei zisha/‘commit suicide,’ bei xingfu/‘happy’ or bei gaotie/‘high speed train.’ Following Mental Space Theory (Fauconnier 1994, 1997), this paper argues that the construction serves as a space builder, which prompts conceptualizers to build a counterfactual space to hold the event conveyed by the constituent but deny the event or its associated assumption in the base space. The Mental Space operations produce the interpretations of the construction featured by ambiguity and irony. This study demonstrates the existence of dedicated counterfactual constructions in Chinese. It showcases an attempt to posit cognitive operations as the constructional function and outlines a cognitively plausible procedure to derive specific interpretations of the construction in the context.

Meaning construction in interactive academic talk

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Unknown / not yet matched
Keyword(s):  
Conversation Analysis ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Meaning Construction ◽  
Space Theory ◽  
Construction Process ◽  
Conceptual Structures ◽  
Mental Operations ◽  
Mental Space ◽  
Meaning Representation ◽  
Cognitive Dimensions

Abstract Mental spaces are conceptual structures for meaning representation and interpretation in discourse. They are pervasive in everyday language as an important aspect of ongoing language processing and meaning construction (Hamawand 2016). The application of Mental Space Theory (MST) to the analysis of real, attested examples of discourse (e.g. Conversation Analysis) has been undertaken through productive exchanges (see Hougaard 2004, 2005, Oakley & Hougaard 2008, Oakley 2009). The integration links external, observable language behaviors to internal, conceptual mental operations (Williams 2008), revealing that the cognitive dimensions of discursive approaches are essential to the analysis of talk-in-interaction. This study focuses on the technical aspects of Conversation Analysis in interactive academic talk and shows how MST can provide a subsequent framework for making plausible accounts of the meaning construction process underlying typical conversational moves in this unique talk setting. The data analyses show that the accessibility and selectivity of cognitive mappings contribute to shaping the structurality of meaning representation, transmission, and interpretation. The findings have implications for understanding and characterizing how co-constructed meaning enters into individual and collective conceptualization in higher education communication.

Mental space embeddings, counterfactuality, and the use of unless

2002 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Dancygier
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Verb Forms ◽  
Mental Space ◽  
Mental Spaces

Unless-constructions have often been compared with conditionals. It was noted that unless can in most cases be paraphrased with if not, but that its meaning resembles that of except if (Geis, 1973; von Fintel, 1991). Initially, it was also assumed that, unlike if-conditionals, unless-sentences with counterfactual (or irrealis) meanings are not acceptable. In recent studies by Declerck and Reed (2000, 2001), however, the acceptability of such sentences was demonstrated and a new analysis was proposed.The present article argues for an account of irrealis unless-sentences in terms of epistemic distance and mental space embeddings. First, the use of verb forms in irrealis sentences is described as an instance of the use of distanced forms, which are widely used in English to mark hypotheticality. In the second part, the theory of mental spaces is introduced and applied to show how different mental space set-ups (in conjunction with distanced forms) account for the construction of different hypothetical meanings. The so-called irrealis unless-sentences are then interpreted as a number of instances of mental space embeddings. Finally, it is shown how the account proposed explains the fact that some unless-constructions can be paraphrased only with if not while others only with except if.

Intertwined voices

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Case ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Indirect Speech ◽  
Space Analysis ◽  
Linguistic Form ◽  
News Reports ◽  
Mental Space ◽  
Mental Spaces ◽  
Representation Types

In this contribution, a mental space analysis model is presented to conceptualize and explain voice intertwining in journalistic texts. News text genres abound with clearly recognizable representations of source discourse, such as direct and indirect speech. In addition, blended representation types can be described, such as free indirect speech and implicit viewpoint, in which voices of journalist and source are less easy to discern. Comparison of various news texts concerned with a particular criminal case shows that news reports have a preference for direct or indirect speech and avoid the intertwined type of free indirect speech; by contrast, in feature stories and opinion contributions free indirect speech is not uncommon. Even free indirect thought, stemming from fictional genres, appears to be possible in these subgenres. Finally, blending of journalist and source voices is present in references to characters and events. Analysis of mental spaces attributed to sources in various news genres helps to explain how the intertwining of voices is established by linguistic form. Consequences for theory on functions and effects of source representation are discussed.

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