Contemporary Theoretical Approaches in Cognitive Linguistics

Abstract.

CONTEMPORARY THEORETICAL APPROACHES IN COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS

Viktor Chernyshov

Department of General Linguistics and Foreign Languages, National University “Yuri Kond­ratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”, Poltava, Ukraine.

Maryna Moskalenko

General Linguistics and Foreign Languages Department, National University “Yuri Kond­ratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”, Poltava, Ukraine.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive Linguistics is a relatively recent, but quickly expanding field of linguistic (and interdisciplinary) studies that produces a growing body of entirely new linguistic (and interdisciplinary) knowledge. Arrival of new researches inevitably brings new approaches to the field. An emerging number of new approaches, however, require their examination, generalisation, and mapping in order to specify as much their particular place in the field as their function and their possible future contribution to the field in a broader scope.

Purpose: is to provide a comprehensive study of theoretical approaches in contemporary Cognitive Linguistics.

Results: Historical development and the internal evolution of Cognitive Linguistics witness a strict tendency for contextualisation and holistic knowledge of language. Previous tendency for narrowing and specialising linguistic knowledge that was characteristic for formal linguistics approach gave way to a bold effort of cognitivists for functional and (though usage-based but) universalised linguistic knowledge. The same tendency eventually makes Cognitive Linguistics to go beyond its own limits to undertake an interdisciplinary effort, making a contribution to knowledge about human cognition as a whole.

Discussion: Thus, it has turned from modular approaches, characteristic for traditional linguistics, to holistic ones; or, in other words, from more or less narrow (exclusive) specialisation to a broader (inclusive) interdisciplinary researches in area of Cognitive Science. Contemporary theore­tical approaches in Cognitive Linguistics are mostly considered to claim their interdisciplinarity at the intersection of linguistics, psychology, social sciences, and philosophy.

Keywords: Cognitive Linguistics, contemporary theoretical approaches, interdisciplinary approach, philosophy of language, semantics.

Vitae. Victor is a Candidate of Philosophy, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of Department of General Linguistics and Foreign Languages at National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”. Areas of his research interests include philosophy of language, cognitive linguistics, comparative linguistics, applied linguistics, theory of translation.

Correspondence: prepod.pntu@gmail.com

Vitae. Maryna Moskalenko is a Lecturer of Department of General Linguistics and Foreign Languages at National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”. Areas of her research in­terests includs cognitive linguistics, comparative linguistics, applied linguistics, theory of translation.

Correspondence: triksi1309@gmail.com

Article.

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