Semantics
Lexical word structure II
As was stated above, cognitive semantics holds the assumption that linguistic categories reflect the structure of conceptual categories. Thus, the meaning of a word is determined by the cognitive category connected with it.
Categorization requires the perception of similarities between otherwise different entities. Within the process of categorization, prototypes and metaphors play an important role: A prototype is typically used as a reference point against which the entity in question is compared. The concept of metaphor is relevant to explaining the processes that allow us to perceive or construct similarities. In order to represent concepts as well as the interrelations between concepts, semantic networks have been developed.
Prototypes
Conceptual metaphors and metonymy
Semantic networks
Exercises on lexical word structure II
- A prototypical bird?
- Source of the picture: home.montereybay.com