Published by De Gruyter Mouton

Volume 27 Issue 1 -

Issue of Cognitive Linguistics

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Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available January 29, 2016

Frontmatter

Page range: i-v

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Research Articles

Publicly Available January 6, 2016

Machine Meets Man: Evaluating the Psychological Reality of Corpus-based Probabilistic Models

Dagmar Divjak, Ewa Dąbrowska, Antti Arppe

Page range: 1-33

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Abstract

Linguistic convention typically allows speakers several options. Evidence is accumulating that the various options are preferred in different contexts, yet the criteria governing the selection of the appropriate form are often far from obvious. Most researchers who attempt to discover the factors determining a preference rely on the linguistic analysis and statistical modeling of data extracted from large corpora. In this paper, we address the question of how to evaluate such models and explicitly compare the performance of a statistical model derived from a corpus with that of native speakers in selecting one of six Russian TRY verbs. Building on earlier work we trained a polytomous logistic regression model to predict verb choice given the sentential context. We compare the predictions the model makes for 60 unseen sentences to the choices adult native speakers make in those same sentences. We then look in more detail at the interplay of the contextual properties and model computationally how individual differences in assessing the importance of contextual properties may impact the linguistic knowledge of native speakers. Finally, we compare the probability the model assigns to encountering each of the six verbs in the 60 test sentences to the acceptability ratings the adult native speakers give to those sentences. We discuss the implications of our findings for both usage-based theory and empirical linguistic methodology.

Publicly Available December 16, 2015

Embodying metaphors: Signed language interpreters at work

Anna-Lena Nilsson

Page range: 35-65

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Abstract

The present study describes how Swedish Sign Language (SSL) interpreters systematically use signing space and movements of their hands, arms and body to simultaneously layer iconic expressions of metaphors for differences and for time, in ways previously not described. This is analyzed as the interpreters embodying metaphors , and each of the conceptual metaphors they embody seems to be expressed in a distinct manner not noted before in accounts of the structure of signed languages. Data consists of recordings of Swedish-SSL interpreting by native SSL signers. Rendering spoken Swedish into SSL, these interpreters produce complex sequences making abundant use of the circumstance that in signed language you can express several types of information simultaneously. With little processing time, they produce iconic expressions, frequently using several underlying conceptual metaphors to simultaneously layer information. The interpreters place individual signs in relation to time lines in order to express metaphorical content related to time, and use movement’s of their bodies to express comparisons and contrasts. In all of the analyzed sequences, the interpreters express the metaphor difference-between-is-distance-between . In addition, they layer metaphors for difference and time simultaneously, in some instances also expressing the orientational metaphor pair more-is-up and less-is-down at the same time.

Publicly Available December 23, 2015

Cognitive Grammar and gesture: Points of convergence, advances and challenges

Kasper I. Kok, Alan Cienki

Page range: 67-100

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Abstract

Given its usage-oriented character, Cognitive Grammar (CG) can be expected to be consonant with a multimodal, rather than text-only, perspective on language. Whereas several scholars have acknowledged this potential, the question as to how speakers’ gestures can be incorporated in CG-based grammatical analysis has not been conclusively addressed. In this paper, we aim to advance the CG-gesture relationship. We first elaborate on three important points of convergence between CG and gesture research: (1) CG’s conception of grammar as a prototype category, with central and more peripheral structures, aligns with the variable degrees to which speakers’ gestures are conventionalized in human communication. (2) Conceptualization, which lies at the basis of grammatical organization according to CG, is known to be of central importance for gestural expression. In fact, all of the main dimensions of construal postulated in CG (specificity, perspective, profile-base relationship, conceptual archetypes) receive potential gestural expression. (3) CG’s intensive use of diagrammatic notation allows for the incorporation of spatial features of gestures. Subsequently, we demonstrate how CG can be applied to analyze the structure of multimodal, spoken-gestured utterances. These analyses suggest that the constructs and tools developed by CG can be employed to analyze the compositionality that exists within a single gesture (between conventional and more idiosyncratic components) as well as in the grammatical relations that may exist between gesture and speech. Finally, we raise a number of theoretical and empirical challenges.

Publicly Available December 16, 2015

The emergence of disjunction: A history of constructionalization in Chinese

Zhuo Jing-Schmidt, Xinjia Peng

Page range: 101-136

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Abstract

This study investigates the diachronic development of Chinese disjunction, drawing implications both for principles of diachronic Construction Grammar, and for the linguistic typology of disjunction. Close examinations of data from historical corpora revealed non-linear, gradual constructional changes based on complex yet principled interactions of conceptual origin, constructional patterning, discourse pragmatics, and an isolating typology in the development of Chinese disjunction. Specifically, the results (1) show that construction is the source, unit and product of change, (2) demonstrate the pivotal role of syntactic and semantic reanalysis in the micro changes leading to the constructionalization of disjunction, (3) reveal a conceptual and diachronic continuity between epistemic uncertainty and disjunction, (4) highlight frequency of use as a driving force in the conventionalization and entrenchment of constructional schema, and (5) confirm the role played by an isolating typology in syntactic and categorial reassignment as a key step in grammatical constructionalization.

Book Review

December 16, 2015

Lieselotte Brems, Lobke Ghesquière and Freek Van de Velde: Intersubjectivity and intersubjectification in Grammar and Discourse: Theoretical and descriptive advances

Tine Breban

Page range: 137-145

About this journal

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Call for Editor in Chief

Deadline: 15 September 2023

Cognitive Linguistics is the official journal of the International Cognitive Linguistics Association and the flagship journal of the discipline. The current Editor-in-Chief, Professor Dagmar Divjak, is stepping down in June 2024 after 6 years in the role and we are looking to appoint a new Editor-in-Chief to lead the journal and the editorial team.

Cognitive Linguistics is keen to increase the diversity on its editorial team. We welcome applications from cognitive linguists in any region of the world, provided that the prospective post-holder is fluent in English. We particularly welcome candidates who are invested in increasing equality, diversity, and inclusion, and in supporting Open Science.

Read the full Call for an Editor here.

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Open Access

As part of De Gruyter‘s Subscribe to Open program, we plan to transform Cognitive Linguistics to Gold Open Access in 2024. For details on S2O, please see here.

Objective
Cognitive Linguistics presents a forum for linguistic research of all kinds on the interaction between language and cognition. The journal focuses on language as an instrument for organizing, processing and conveying information. Cognitive Linguistics is a peer-reviewed journal of international scope and seeks to publish only works that represent a significant advancement to the theory or methods of cognitive linguistics, or that present an unknown or understudied phenomenon.

Topics

the structural characteristics of natural language categorization (such as prototypicality, cognitive models, metaphor, and imagery);
the functional principles of linguistic organization, as illustrated by iconicity;
the conceptual interface between syntax and semantics;
the experiential background of language-in-use, including the cultural background;
the relationship between language and thought, including matters of universality and language specificity

Article formats

Research Articles - these are substantive pieces presening original research, totalling between 8,000 and 10,000 words on first submission
Registered report - each year we have space for one registered report that tackles a core question in cognitive linguistics. See the registered reports guidelines for more information.
Review paper - each year we have space for one paper that reviews progress in a core area of cognitive linguistics.
Commentaries & Replies to Research Articles - with prior consent of the Editor-in-Chief only.
Special Issue proposals: We are currently committed for 2022; the next round of review is expected to take place in Autumn 2021, with publication (in print) expected early 2023.

Please contact cogling@degruyter.com with topics for a Review Paper, Commentary or Reply.
Note that we no longer accept Book Reviews.