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 27): Course introduction; What is cognitive linguistics?
Week 2 (Mar 5): Categories (Radden 2007, Ch.1)
Week 3 (Mar 12): Categorization, part 1 (Geeraerts 2008)
Week 4 (Mar 19): Categorization, part 2 (ditto)
Week 5 (Mar 26): Cognitive operations, part 1 (Radden 2007, Ch.2)
Week 6 (April 2): Cognitive operations, part 2 (ditto)
Week 7 (April 9): Cognitive operations, part 3 (Radden 2007, Ch.2, and study questions)
Week 8 (April 16): Cognitive grammar, part 1 (Radden 2007, Ch.3)
Week 9 (April 23): Cognitive grammar, part 2 (ditto)
Week 10 (April 30): Cognitive grammar, part 3 (ditto)
Week 11 (May 7): Cognitive grammar, part 4 (Radden 2007, Ch.3, p.58 study questions)
Week 12 (May 14): Nouns, part 1 (Radden 2007, Ch. 4; Langacker 1987b)
Week 13 (May 21): Nouns, part 2 (ditto)
Week 14 (May 28): Verbs, part 1 (Langacker 2008, Ch. 4.2; Langacker 1987b)
Week 15 (June 4 ): Verbs, part 2 (ditto)
Week 16 (June 11): Frames and Domains (Croft 2004, Ch. 2)
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
- Study questions of Ch 2, Radden 2007
- TBA
- TBA
- TBA
Final Project
Essay (specific requirements, TBA)
Further study
Metaphor (Boroditsky 2000, Casasanto 2009)
Construction grammars (Croft 2004, Ch. 9, Ch. 10)
The usage-based model (Croft 2004, Ch. 11)