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Abstract
The aim of this paper is to integrate spatial cognition with lexical semantics. We develop cognitive models of actions and events based on conceptual spaces and vectors on them. The models are then used to present a semantic theory of verbs.
We propose a two-vector model of events including a force vector and a result vector. We argue that our framework provides a unified account for a multiplicity of linguistic phenomena related to verbs. Among other things it provides a cognitive explanation for the lexico-semantic constraint regarding manner vs. result and for polysemy caused by intentionality. It also generates a unified definition of aspect.
Keywords: actions; events; conceptual spaces; similarity; force vector; result vector; manner/result complementarity; aspect
Published Online: 2012-11-06
Published in Print: 2012-10-30
©[2012] by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
