An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics (Learning About Language) [Paperback]

Friedrich Ungerer (Author), Hans-Jorg Schmid (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0582239664 | ISBN-13: 978-0582239661 | Publication Date: July 1996

Cognitive linguists share the belief that language is based on our experience of the world. Although scientific in its claims, cognitive linguistics appeals to the intuitive feeling that our use of language is related to how we perceive things and situations around us. This comprehensive text provides a clear introduction to the major approaches that are guided by these assumptions. It is the first text to draw together all the important aspects of both cognitive semantics and syntax and it includes original proposals for a cognitive theory of word-formation and cognitive hierarchies. An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics explains the central concepts and the assumptions on which they are based in a clear and logical style, tracing their historical roots in linguistics or psychology. Chapters consider the mental process of categorization and its result, the cognitive categories which influence our use of words, the role of metaphor for understanding abstract concepts and analyse attempts to define clause patterns, word classes and other aspects of syntax based on general cognitive principles. This text also brings together issues which have not originated in cognitive linguistic research, but have benefited from being put on a cognitive basis, namely iconicity, grammaticalization, lexical change and language teaching.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Learning About Language is an exciting and ambitious series of introductions to fundamental topics in language, linguistics and related areas. The books are designed for students of linguistics and those who are studying language as part of a wider course.

Cognitive Linguistics explores the idea that language reflects our experience of the world. It shows that our ability to use language is closely related to other cognitive abilities such as categorization, perception, memory and attention allocation. Concepts and mental images expressed and evoked by linguistic means are linked by conceptual metaphors and metonymies and merged into more comprehensive cognitive and cultural models, frames or scenarios. It is only against this background that human communication makes sense. After 25 years of intensive research, cognitive-linguistic thinking now holds a firm place both in the wider linguistic and the cognitive-science communities.

An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics carefully explains the central concepts of categoriza­tion, of prototype and gestalt perception, of basic level and conceptual hierarchies, of figure and ground, and of metaphor and metonymy, for which an innovative description is provided. It also brings together issues such as iconicity, lexical change, grammaticalization and language teaching that have profited considerably from being put on a cognitive basis.

The second edition of this popular introduction provides a comprehensive and accessible up-to-date overview of Cognitive Linguistics:

• Clarifies the basic notions supported by new evidence and examples for their application in language learning
• Discusses major recent developments in the field: the increasing attention paid to metonymies, Construction Grammar, Conceptual Blending and its role in online-processing.
• Explores links with neighbouring fields like Relevance Theory
• Uses many diagrams and illustrations to make the theoretical argument more tangible
• Includes extended exercises
• Provides substantial updated suggestions for further reading.

Friedrich Ungerer is Professor of English Linguistics at the University of Rostock, Germany.
Hans-Jörg Schmid is Professor of Modern English Linguistics at the University of Munich, where he has also initiated the Interdisciplinary Centre for Cognitive Language Studies (ICCLS).

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Friedrich Ungerer is Professor of English Linguistics at the University of Rostock, Germany, but also has a background in applied linguistics and language teaching.

Hans-Jörg Schmid is Professor of Modern English Linguistics at the University of Munich, where he is currently initiating the foundation of an Interdisciplinary Centre for Cognitive Language Studies.

Both authors have published extensively in the field.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub (Sd) (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0582239664
• ISBN-13: 978-0582239661
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,971,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the field of linguistics..., October 18, 1999

By 

James Arnett - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics (Learning About Language) (Paperback)

I'm currently enrolled in a linguistics class at Tulane University, and we had to read this book so as to give us a cognitivist perspective on semantic theory. It is a well-written book with very helpful exercises to illustrate various experiments performed by linguists and psychologists.