Description
This course represents a general introduction to theoretical linguistics known as cognitive linguistics. It consists of three parts:(1) an overview of some of the main aims, assumptions, and commitments of cognitive linguistics. Based on these philosophical backgrounds, the other two parts focus on the two best-developed research frameworks in cognitive linguistics:
(2) cognitive semantics (meaning), and (3) cognitive approach to grammar (structure).
Reading list
- Radden, G., & Dirven, R. (2007). Cognitive english grammar. John Benjamins Publishing.
- Croft, W., & Cruse, D. A. (2004). Cognitive linguistics. Cambridge University Press.
Syllybus (timetable)
Week 1 (Feb 18): Course introduction; What is cognitive linguistics?
Week 2 (Feb 25): Categories (Radden 2007, Ch.1)
Week 3 (Mar 4): Categorization, part 1 (Geeraerts 2008)
Week 4 (Mar 11): Categorization, part 2 (ditto)
Week 5 (Mar 18): Cognitive operations, part 1 (Radden 2007, Ch.2)
Week 6 (Mar 25): Cognitive operations, part 2 (Radden 2007, Ch.2, and study questions)
Week 7 (April 1): Cognitive grammar, some basics, part 1 (Radden 2007, Ch.3)
Week 8 (April 8): Cognitive grammar, some basics, part 2 (adden 2007, Ch.3, p.58 study questions)
Week 9 (April 15): Nouns, part 1 (Radden 2007, Ch. 4; Langacker 1987b)
Week 10 (April 22): Nouns, part 2 (ditto)
Week 11 (April 29): Verbs, part 1 (Langacker 2008, Ch. 4.2; Langacker 1987b)
Week 12 (May 6): Verbs, part 2 (ditto)
Week 13 (May 13): Construction grammar: from idioms to CxG, part 1 (Croft 2004, Ch. 9)
Week 14 (May 20): Construction grammar: from idioms to CxG, part 2 (Croft 2004, Ch. 9)
Week 15 (May 27): Construction grammar: an overview, part 1 (Croft 2004, Ch. 10)
Week 16 (June 3): Construction grammar: an overview, part 2 (Croft 2004, Ch. 10)
Assessment
You will have a total of 5 assignments and a final project. The usual assignments are mainly textbook-related quiz questions and literature reading assignments. The final project is usually an essay. There is no midterm in this class.
Attendance
Perfect attendance earn 2 bonus points.
Assignments
Assignments should be turned in on the due date.
- Study questions of Ch 1, Radden 2007 (March 4)
- Study questions of Ch 2, Radden 2007 (March 18)
- Study questions of Ch 3, Radden 2007 (April 29)
- Study questions of Ch 4, Radden 2007 (May 6)
- tba
Final Project
Essay (specific requirements, TBA)
Further study
Metaphor (Boroditsky 2000, Casasanto 2009)
The usage-based model (Croft 2004, Ch. 11)