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A Cognitive Analysis of the Preposition OVER: Image-schema transformations and metaphorical extensions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2019

Souma Mori
Souma Mori*
Affiliation:
University of Tsukuba
*
englishenglishmori@hotmail.co.jp
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Abstract

Dewell (1994), following Brugman (1981) and Lakoff (1987), provides a semantic analysis of over by relying more exclusively on image-schema transformations than did Brugman and Lakoff. The Brugman-Lakoff-Dewell analysis, however, can be improved by using simpler image-schemas, more natural image-schema transformations, and metaphorical extensions. A key idea adopted in the present article is to capture both trajectors and landmarks three-dimensionally and topologically. This modification brings about the elimination of unessential features such as the shape and size of the trajector and the landmark, contact/non-contact between the trajector and the landmark, and physical properties of the trajector. Its main advantage is that a central image-schema for a semicircular path provides the basis for explaining all of the senses of over using natural image-schema transformations and metaphorical extensions. The proposed image-schema transformations include: segment profiling, profiling the endpoint of access paths, the profiled peak position of the semicircular path with the constraint that the rest of the semicircular path is excluded, and the extension of the semicircular path-trajectory to an image of covering. The proposed metaphorical senses are time, means, and control. In addition, the radial category relating each sense of over is presented.

Résumé

Dewell (1994), après Brugman (1981) et Lakoff (1987), a fourni une analyse sémantique de over ‘dessus’ en s'appuyant plus exclusivement que Brugman et Lakoff sur les transformations de schémas d'image. L'analyse de Brugman-Lakoff-Dewell peut cependant être améliorée en utilisant des schémas d'image plus simples, des transformations de schémas d'image plus naturelles et des extensions métaphoriques. Une idée clé adoptée dans le présent article concerne les trajectoires et les points de repère capturés en trois dimensions et topologiquement. Cette modification permet d’éliminer des caractéristiques non essentielles telles que la forme et la taille du trajet et du point de repère, le contact ou non-contact entre le trajet et le point de repère, et les propriétés physiques du trajecteur. Son principal avantage est que le schéma d'image central d'une trajectoire semi-circulaire constitue la base pour expliquer tous les sens de over, en utilisant des transformations de schémas d'image naturelles et des extensions métaphoriques. Les transformations de schéma d'image proposées comprennent: le profilage de segment, le profil du point d'extrémité des chemins d'accès, la position maximale profilée du chemin semi-circulaire avec la contrainte d'exclusion du reste du chemin semi-circulaire, et l'extension de la trajectoire semi-circulaire à une image de couverture. Les sens métaphoriques proposés sont: temps, moyens, et contrôle. En outre, la catégorie radiale relative à chaque sens de over est présentée.

Keywords

Semicircular paththree-dimensional and topological structureimage-schema transformationsmetaphorical extensionsradial categoryChemin semi-circulairestructure tridimensionnelle et topologiquetransformations de schéma d'imageextensions métaphoriquescatégorie radiale
Type
Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Linguistics/Revue canadienne de linguistique , Volume 64 , Issue 3 , September 2019 , pp. 444 - 474
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Linguistic Association/Association canadienne de linguistique 2019 

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Footnotes

I sincerely thank two anonymous reviewers for their very generous and helpful comments, which helped me refine an earlier version. I also thank Yukio Hirose, Naoaki Wada, Nobuhiro Kaga, Masaharu Shimada, and Akira Suzuki, who commented on an earlier version. I am also grateful to Ryohei Naya and Masatoshi Honda, who helped me with their discussions and support, and contributed to completing the revision cycle. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to Reiko Nakagawa, who encourages me in my studies. Needless to say, any remaining errors are of course my own responsibility.

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