Semantics - A Cognitive Account of Linguistic Meaning - Zeki Hamawand
6. Cognitive mechanisms
Semantics - A Cognitive Account of Linguistic Meaning - Zeki Hamawand
Zeki Hamawand [+]
University of Kirkuk and University of Sulaimani
Description
Chapter 6 discusses the cognitive mechanisms which account for the relationship between the component parts of a linguistic expression, whether at the word or phrase level. The aim is to introduce the tools of the cognitive framework and explore how they account for intricacies of linguistic expressions. The chapter consists of two sections. Section 6.1 relates to integration: the way the subparts are combined to form a composite structure. In four subsections, four pivotal factors are presented: correspondence, determinacy, elaboration and constituency. These concern the ways in which lexical items are combined with each other to make meaningful expressions. Section 6.2 relates to interpretation: the way the meaning of the resulting composite structure is explained. This concerns the fact that the meaning of a composite structure is derived not only from the meanings of its subparts but also from the pragmatic knowledge behind its use. In two subsections, two essential principles are presented. These are compositionality and analysability. In both sections, I pursue three steps. First, I present the factor. Second, I spell out its nature. Third, I test its application.