Space, Time, and the Use of Language
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Does temporal language depend on spatial language? Many parallels between spatial and temporal expressions, and many examples of metaphorical processes, seem to prove this. But how are expressions such as before and after, in front and behind actually used in natural discourse - does their application reflect a conceptual dependency relation? The book addresses this question from an innovative perspective, drawing together earlier findings from various directions and supplementing them by empiri
Our Review
This groundbreaking exploration of how we talk about time and space offers a fresh perspective on whether our temporal language truly depends on spatial metaphors. Drawing from cognitive linguistics and empirical research, the book examines real-world usage of expressions like "before" and "after" to determine if our conceptual framework for time is actually built upon spatial thinking. The author moves beyond theoretical speculation to analyze how these terms function in natural discourse, providing concrete evidence about the relationship between how we navigate physical space and how we understand temporal sequences.
What makes this work particularly compelling is its methodological approach, combining earlier theoretical findings with new empirical data to challenge or confirm long-held assumptions about language and cognition. Readers interested in linguistics, cognitive science, or philosophy of language will find the systematic investigation both accessible and intellectually rigorous. The book doesn't just describe linguistic patternsβit reveals how our most fundamental ways of understanding time might be shaped by our experience of space, offering profound insights into the architecture of human thought.
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