scholarly journals Conceptual Blending and Slang Expressions in Hong Kong Cantonese

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-119
Author(s):  
May L-Y Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
English Language ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Cognitive Operations ◽  
Cultural Experiences ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Hong Kong Cantonese ◽  
Life Journey

Abstract This paper seeks to examine nine slang words created newly in Cantonese, which started their life journey from the inventions of individuals and now constituting the established lexical means of expressing cultural conceptualizations. These slang expressions are analyzed with reference to the theory of conceptual integration (also known as “blending”) developed in Fauconnier and Turner 2002. In the analysis, four different types of conceptual integration network (i.e., simplex networks, single-scope networks, double-scope, and multiple-scope networks) are used to unravel the increasingly complex systems of cognitive operations with which the “slang” blends are created. During the discussion of the conceptual integration networks here, we were able to see how elements and relations from familiar conceptualizations can be transformed into new and meaningful ones that align along with the changes in cultural conceptualizations. It is hoped that this study shows that, despite having wide applications in the English language, the blending theory can provide an integrated and coherent account of the cognitive mechanisms by which colloquial words are constructed and construed in terms of cultural experiences specific to a given non-Anglo locality.

scholarly journals A conceptual blending analysis of a metaphorical advertisement: applications in elt

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
Elisa Mattos de Sá
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
English Language ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Meaning Construction ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Conceptual Blending ◽  
Conceptual Integration ◽  
Cognitive Operations ◽  
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Advances in Cognitive Linguistics have focused on the centrality of meaning and conceptual structure in human language (Evans & Green, 2006; Geeraerts, 2006), placing phenomena such as metaphor as central to human cognition (Lakoff, 2006; Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). This paper analyzes the process of meaning construction of a metaphorical print advertisement in which cognitive operations of conceptual integration (cf. Fauconnier & Turner, 2002) can be mapped through the interplay between verbal and nonverbal language. Seeing that adverts can provide learners with real-life communicative opportunities for language development due to theirup-to-date language, cultural-bound content, and creative discourse techniques (Mishan, 2005; Picken, 2000; 1999), this paper additionally provides four pedagogical applications of the chosen advertisement in English Language Teaching, drawing on the principles of the theoreticalframework presented.

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.

“Where is Dementia?” A Systematic Literature Review Exploring Neuroanatomical Aspects of Dementia

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (15) ◽  
pp. 9-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chorong Oh ◽  
Leonard LaPointe
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Precise Diagnosis ◽  
Physical Changes ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Language Literature

Dementia is a condition caused by and associated with separate physical changes in the brain. The signs and symptoms of dementia are very similar across the diverse types, and it is difficult to diagnose the category by behavioral symptoms alone. Diagnostic criteria have relied on a constellation of signs and symptoms, but it is critical to understand the neuroanatomical differences among the dementias for a more precise diagnosis and subsequent management. With this regard, this review aims to explore the neuroanatomical aspects of dementia to better understand the nature of distinctive subtypes, signs, and symptoms. This is a review of English language literature published from 1996 to the present day of peer-reviewed academic and medical journal articles that report on older people with dementia. This review examines typical neuroanatomical aspects of dementia and reinforces the importance of a thorough understanding of the neuroanatomical characteristics of the different types of dementia and the differential diagnosis of them.

TO THE PROBLEM OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS REFLECTION IN DICTIONARIES OF DIFFERENT TYPES

2020 ◽  
pp. 130-142
Author(s):  
Е.М. Григорьева
Keyword(s):  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
English Language ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Continuous Sampling ◽  
Translation Equivalent ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Individual Source ◽  
Graphic Illustration ◽  
Characteristic Features

Постановка задачи. Статья посвящена детальному анализу фразеологизмов английского языка различных тематических групп и особенностям их регистрации в англо-английских и англо-русском словарях и справочных пособиях. Рассматривается ряд характеристик, которые отличают фразеологические единицы от свободных словосочетаний. Кроме того, исследуется вопрос включения пословиц в состав фразеологического фонда того или иного языка. Впоследствии отобранные методом сплошной выборки фразеологические единицы классифицируются по различным основаниям, а также проводится детальный анализ особенностей их отражения в представленных изданиях. Результаты. Осуществляется классификация фразеологизмов по следующим категориям: функция в коммуникации, определяемая их структурно-семантическими особенностями, а также тематическое деление. Отдельно рассматриваются фразеологизмы-эвфемизмы, относящиеся к нескольким тематическим группам, среди которых смерть, ругательства и беременность. Выделяются и описываются характерные особенности организации микроструктуры (словарной статьи) каждого отдельно взятого издания. Выводы. На основании проведенного анализа регистрации английских фразеологизмов сделаны выводы о том, что данная лексика получает подробное и точное отражение в справочниках. Проведенный анализ теоретической литературы показал правомерность включения пословиц во фразеологический фонд, поскольку они принадлежат к культурному наследию того или иного народа и воспроизводятся в речи в исходной форме. Тип и адресат справочника определяют особенности организации словарной статьи, а также компоненты, которые входят в нее (дефиниция, переводной эквивалент, иллюстративный пример, грамматическая, стилистическая, региональная и этимологическая пометы, графическая иллюстрация). Statement of the problem. The article is devoted to a detailed analysis of the phraseological units of the English language of various thematic groups and the features of their registration in the English-English and English-Russian dictionaries and reference books. Features that distinguish phraseological units from free phrases are studied. More than that, the question of belonging proverbs to phraseological stock is studied. Then phraseological units selected by the continuous sampling method are classified according to different grounds, and a detailed analysis of the features of their reflection in the analyzed sources is carried out. Results. Phraseological units are classified into some categories according to the following criteria: function in communication, determined by their structural and semantic features and thematic division. Phraseological units-euphemisms related to several thematic groups, including death, curse words and pregnancy are studied. The characteristic features of microstructure organization of each individual source are described. Conclusion. The analysis of English phraseological units registration showed that this lexis is reflected in dictionaries in a proper way. Theoretical literature analysis shows justification of proverbs inclusion into phraseological stock as they are a part of national cultural heritage and are reproduced in speech in the basic form. Further, the author comes to a conclusion that dictionary type and addressee of the reference book determine features of microstructure organization and their components (definition, translation equivalent, illustrative example, grammar, stylistic, regional and etymological labels, graphic illustration).

Empirical Study on the Behaviours of Different Types of Hong Kong Small Investorss in Their Investment

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheung-Chi Chow ◽  
Tai-Yuen Hon ◽  
Wing-Keung Wong ◽  
Kai Yin Woo
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Different Types

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.

Engaging Exam-Oriented Students in Communicative Language Teaching by ‘Packaging’ Learning English Through Songs as Exam Practice

RELC Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 003368822097854
Author(s):  
Kevin Wai-Ho Yung
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
High Stakes Testing ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Secondary English ◽  
Language Curriculum ◽  
Teachers And Students

Literature has long been used as a tool for language teaching and learning. In the New Academic Structure in Hong Kong, it has become an important element in the senior secondary English language curriculum to promote communicative language teaching (CLT) with a process-oriented approach. However, as in many other English as a second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) contexts where high-stakes testing prevails, Hong Kong students are highly exam-oriented and expect teachers to teach to the test. Because there is no direct assessment on literature in the English language curriculum, many teachers find it challenging to balance CLT through literature and exam preparation. To address this issue, this article describes an innovation of teaching ESL through songs by ‘packaging’ it as exam practice to engage exam-oriented students in CLT. A series of activities derived from the song Seasons in the Sun was implemented in the ESL classrooms in a secondary school in Hong Kong. Based on the author’s observations and reflections informed by teachers’ and students’ comments, the students were first motivated, at least instrumentally, by the relevance of the activities to the listening paper in the public exam when they saw the similarities between the classroom tasks and past exam questions. Once the students felt motivated, they were more easily engaged in a variety of CLT activities, which encouraged the use of English for authentic and meaningful communication. This article offers pedagogical implications for ESL/EFL teachers to implement CLT through literature in exam-oriented contexts.

scholarly journals The Use of Non-Nutritive and Low-Calorie Sweeteners in 19,915 Local and Imported Pre-Packaged Foods in Hong Kong

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1861
Author(s):  
Billy Yin Sing O ◽  
Daisy H. Coyle ◽  
Elizabeth K. Dunford ◽  
Jason H.Y. Wu ◽  
Jimmy Chun Yu Louie
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Free Sugar ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Calorie ◽  
Snack Foods ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Packaged Foods ◽  
Prepackaged Foods

This study aims to examine the use of non-nutritive (NNSs) and low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) in pre-packaged foods in Hong Kong and the differences in the number of NNSs/LCSs used between products from different regions. In a cross-sectional audit, the types of NNSs/LCSs used in 19,915 pre-packaged foods in Hong Kong were examined by searching the ingredients list of the included products for keywords related to 20 common NNSs/LCSs and their respective E-numbers. Prevalence of use of NNSs and LCSs, the co-presence of NNSs/LCSs and free sugar ingredients (FSI), and the number of NNSs/LCSs used in the included foods were computed. Pearson’s χ2 test was used to compare the total number of NNSs and/or LCSs used in food items from different regions. Sucralose (E955) was the most commonly used NNS (1.9%), followed by acesulfame K (E950, 1.6%). Sorbitol was the most commonly used LCS (2.9%). Overall, the use of LCSs was less common compared with NNSs (3.7% vs. 4.5%). The use of different types of NNSs varied substantially between food types. Notably, 20.2% of potato crisps and 15.2% of other crisps or extruded snacks contained at least one NNS and/or LCS. Co-presence of FSIs and NNSs/LCSs were most common in confectionery (15.7%) and snack foods (15.5%). Asian prepackaged foods were more likely to contain NNSs/LCSs (10.1%) compared with those from other regions. To conclude, NNSs/LCSs were used in a wide range of non-diet pre-packaged products which could be a public health concern due to their higher consumption frequencies than “diet” products.

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