Chapter 1 introduces the importance of metaphor to an understanding of time and, in that context, introduces two gaps in our understanding of spatial metaphors for time that the current volume aims to fill.

Chapter 6 highlights the roles of personal and situational factors on metaphoric interpretation through a focused exploration of the interpretation of McGlone and Harding’s (1998) Next Wednesday’s meeting question.

Chapter 8 summarizes the arguments presented throughout the book and closes with a consideration of the implications of the evidence presented for our understanding of metaphor, language, and cognition.

Chapter 4 explores cross-linguistic variation in the language of space along with the potential implications of this variation for the spatial conceptualization of time.

Chapter 7 explores the ways in which personal and situational factors influence metaphor interpretation through a second temporal reasoning paradigm, thereby strengthening our confidence in the individualized role of the cognizer in the complex construction of metaphoric meaning.

Chapter 2 traces the history of theories of metaphor from early thinkers who considered it to be a linguistic ornament through to its modern conceptualization as a tool of the mind, opening the way for a more focused examination of the workings of spatial metaphors for time.

Chapter 3 surveys evidence that metaphor is indeed conceptual, both as a general phenomenon and in the particular case of spatial metaphors for time.

Chapter 5 explores the complexity inherent in metaphoric mappings as a result of their reliance on both the conceptual structuring of the source domain of space and the language used in a metaphoric statement.

Chapter 3 focuses on lexical semantics–pragmatics. Drawing on the views adopted in Construction Grammar and Relevance Theory, it provides an in-depth analysis aimed at exploring the nature of conceptual content and its use in context. It is argued that lexical concepts are best characterized by means of rich networks of encyclopedic knowledge, an approach that enables Relevance Theory to resolve a number of conflicting assumptions (including the presumed paradox discussed in Leclercq, 2022). At the same time, the case is made that this knowledge constitutes an intrinsically context-sensitive semantic potential that serves as the foundation of an inferential process guided by strong pragmatic principles. This process is addressed in terms of lexically regulated saturation, which forms the cornerstone of the integrated model outlined in this book.

Chapter 4 examines how the direct linguistic environment of a lexeme affects its interpretation. In keeping with the constructionist approach, this means looking into the interaction between lexemes and the various types of constructions in which they are found. First, examples of coercion are considered. Though semantically triggered, it is argued that such examples are pragmatically resolved and do not require a process distinct from lexically regulated saturation (Leclercq, 2019). The pragmatic roots of coercion are related to the “procedural function” of the “grammatical constructions” involved, two concepts whose definitions are carefully reviewed. It is argued that grammatical constructions serve only to assist the interpretation process. Second, attention is given to more idiomatic constructions in which lexemes are also found. The interpretation of these constructions is said to follow from a parallel, context-sensitive process guided by considerations of relevance that may suspend lexically regulated saturation. Overall, Chapter 4 sheds light on the complex ways in which lexical meaning comes about.