Cognitive Semantics - IIT Bombay

COGNITIVE SEMANTICSUnderstanding pattern of thoughtsthrough languageNLP Course Seminar – Group 31By,Anup Patel (07305042)Vishal Vachhani (07305R01)Nilesh Padariya (07305064)Sapan Shah (07305061)

MOTIVATIONWhich of the following is an appropriate English sentence ?A) “kicked Tom the bucket.”B) “Tom kicked the bucket.”C) “bucket Tom kicked the.”D) “the bucket kicked Tom.”Obviously, it is B. Why is it so?Important FactLanguage and speaker’s intuitions about language can beseen as a ‘window’ to the underlying cognitive system.2

ROADMAP1.2.3.4.5.6.7.Cognitive LinguisticsCognitive SemanticsImage SchemasTheory of Conceptual StructureEncyclopedic SemanticsConclusionReferences3

1. COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS Cognitive Linguistics (CL) is a modern school of linguistics thatunderstands language creation, learning, and usage as bestexplained by reference to human cognition.-- Wikipedia Often described as a ‘movement’ or ‘enterprise’ because it isnot as specific theory. Two important commitments of Cognitive Linguistics: Generalization commitment Cognitive commitment4

1.1 GENERALIZATION COMMITMENT A commitment to characterization of all aspects of humanlanguage. Cognitive linguists assume that there are common structuringprinciples that hold across different aspects of language like: phonology (sound) semantics (word and sentence meaning) morphology (word structure) syntax (sentence structure), and so on.5

1.1 GENERALIZATION COMMITMENT (CONTD.) Some areas that are common across various aspects oflanguage are: Categorization Polysemy Metaphor Assumption:Linguistic function of the mind is not modular.6

1.2 COGNITIVE COMMITMENT A commitment to providing a characterization of generalprinciples for language that accords with what is known aboutthe mind and brain from other disciplines. Cognitive linguists specifically reject the claim that there is adistinct language module because: Attention: profiling in languageThe general ability of language to provide ways of directingattention aspects of a scene is called profiling (Langacker1987). For example,“The boy kicks over the vase.”7“The vase was kicked over. “

1.2 COGNITIVE COMMITMENT (CONTD.) Categorization: fuzzy categoriesCategories formed by the human mind are rarely ‘neat andtidy’ just like fuzzy linguistic categories.MetaphorMetaphor is a conceptual rather than a purely linguisticphenomenon. (George Lakoff 1980; Mark Johnson 1999)Assumption:Linguistic function of mind not distinct from the cognitiveaspects of mind.8

1.3 COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS (CL) ASSUMPTIONSCL assumes that Linguistic Function of mind is notmodularPerception(e.g. sound,vision, touch)Outside worldCognitive Function(e.g. awareness,thoughts)Linguistic Function(e.g. morphology,syntax, phonologyForm ofCommunication(e.g. speech, writing)CL assumes that Cognitive Function and LinguisticFunction of mind are not different.9

1.4 SUBFIELDS OF COGNITIVE LINGUISTICSCognitive LinguisticsCognitive SemanticsCognitive approaches to grammarA model of meaning (cognitive semantics) has to be delineatedbefore an adequate cognitive model of grammar can be10developed.

1.5 COGNITIVE V/S GENERATIVECognitive LinguisticsGenerative LinguisticsAssumes Linguistic Function ofmind is not modularized.Assumes Linguistic Function ofmind is modularized according tovarious aspects of language.Assumes Linguistic Function ofmind is not different from itscognitive functions.Assumes Linguistic Function ofmind is different from itscognitive functions.Assumes an encyclopedic view oflinguistic meaning.Assumes an dictionary view oflinguistic meaning.Cognitive linguistics emphasize on Formal approaches to linguistics,the role of meaning.often emphasize on the role ofgrammar.11

2. COGNITIVE SEMANTICS The study of the relationship between experience, embodiedcognition and language.-- Vyvyan Evans Scholars working in cognitive semantics investigate: Knowledge representation (conceptual structure), and Meaning construction (conceptualization) We refer meanings conventionally associated with words andother linguistic units as Semantic Structure.12

2.1 PRINCIPLES OF COGNITIVE SEMANTICS Four fundamental principles found from theories:1.Conceptual structure is embodiedExemplified by: Image Schema theory (Johnson)2.Semantic structure is conceptual structureExemplified by: Theory of Conceptual Structure (L. Talmy)3.Meaning representation is encyclopedicExemplified by: Frame Semantics (Fillmore)4.Meaning construction is conceptualizationExemplified by: Mental Space theory (Faucconier)13

2.2 CENTER PRINCIPLE OF COGNITIVE SEMANTICSEmbodimentConceptual StructureConsists of conceptualrepresentation includingImage Schema(Johnson’s theory 1987)Semantic StructureConsists of meaningUnits like lexical concepts(Talmy’s therory )14

3. IMAGE SCHEMAAn image schema is a recurring structure of, or within, ourcognitive processes, which establishes patterns ofunderstanding and reasoning Embodied experience gives rise to image schemas within theconceptual system. Imageits broad neurocognitive sense of mental imagery and not asexclusively indicating visual imagery SchemaIt means that image schema are abstract concepts consistingof patterns emerging from repeated instance of experiencee.g. things ----pencil , container -----teacup15

3. IMAGE SCHEMA (CONTD.) Theweaker claim:Image schemas give us a ‘vocabulary’ to talk aboutthe different dimensions of spatial structure thatlanguages care about Thestronger claim:These dimensions are embodied -- our bodies constrainthe way we observe and interact with the world.Therefore these schemas are universal16

3.1 PARTIAL LIST OF IMAGE SCHEMASMain Image SchemaSub - Image schemasSpaceUp-down, front-back, left-right, near-farContainmentContainer, in-outForceCompulsion, Blockage, counterforce,diversion, Removal of restraint,enablementIdentityMerging, collection, splitting ,ExistenceRemoval, bounded space, cycle, object17

3.2 CONTAINER SCHEMA Structure elements : interior, boundary, exterior Dynamic nature of the containment schema is reflected in thevarious spatial senses of the English word out1. John went out of the room2. The honey spread outLMLMTRLMTR18

3.3 FORCE SCHEMAFig-1 The COMPULSION ISFig-2 The BLOCKAGE ISFig-3 The REMOVAL OFRESTRAINT ISFig-4 The ENABLEMENT IS19

3.4 IMAGE SCHEMA AND LINGUISTIC MEANINGFORCE schema underlie the basic or root meaning ofsome auxiliary verbs in English These meaning relate to socio-physical experience a) You must move your foot or the car will crash it[COMPULSION Schemas ]b) You may now kiss the bride[REMOVAL OF RESTRAINT]c) Ram can throw a ball over 100 meters.[ENABLEMENT]20

4. THEORY OF CONCEPTUAL STRUCTURE Language reflects conceptual representation by providingStructural Meaning or ( Schematic Meaning). meaning relates to structural properties of referents andscenes Semantic structure encodes and externalizes this concepts inlanguage How language system provides meaning based on conceptsderived from embodiment?21

4.1 SEMANTIC STRUCTURE Linguistics expressions refers to entities or describe situationsor scenes. Entities and scenes can be concrete objects or subjectiveexperiences. E.g. feelings Language conveys entities and scenes by reflecting or encodingthe user’s Cognitive Representation (CR) or conceptual system The properties of language allow us to reconstruct theproperties of the conceptual system22

4.2 COGNITIVE REPRESENTATIONCOGNITIVE REPRESENTATIONCONCEPTUAL STRUCTUREINGSYSTEMCONCEPTUAL CONTENTSYSTEMDelineates structural propertiesof a given sceneProvides rich contentful detail ofa particular sceneThe bifurcation in the cognitive representation (CR)23

4.3 OPEN – CLOSED CLASS SEMANTIC SYSTEM System of semantic structure is divided into two subsystems Open-class semantic system E.g. man, cat, table (nouns) ; run, eat (verbs) ; happy, sad (adj)Closed-class semantic systemE.g. kick the bucket (idioms) Grammatical words like in or the and Bound morphemes like –er in singer E.g. The hunter tracked the tigers24

4.4 SCHEMATIC SYSTEMS Conceptual structuring system is based upon a limitednumber of large-scale schematic systems (“imagingsystems”) Various schematic systems collaborate to structure ascene that is expressed via language Each system contributes different structural aspects ofthe scene, resulting in the overall outline of the scene’sskeletal framework25

4.5 CONCEPTUAL STRUCTURING SYSTEMConceptual Structuring tionalsystemForce-DynamicsystemThe key schematic systems within the ‘Conceptual Structuring System’26

4.5.1 THE ‘CONFIGURATIONAL SYSTEM’ Structures temporal and spatial properties associated with ascene Further divided into schematic categories E.g. the division of a scene into parts and participantsDegree of extensionDegree of extension relates to the degree to whichmatter(space) or action(time) are extended.27

4.5.2 THE ‘PERSPECTIVAL SYSTEM’ Specifies the perspective from which one ‘views’ a scene Semantic category: perspectival location (deixis) Relates to the position of a perspective point from which ascene is ‘viewed’ Interior perspective point E.g. The door slowly opened and two men walked in.Exterior perspective point E.g. Two men slowly opened the door and walked in.28

4.5.3 THE ‘ATTENTIONAL SYSTEM’ Specifies how the speaker intends the hearer to direct his orher attention towards the entities that participate in aparticular scene Windowing of attention Initial and final windowing Initial, medial and final windowing E.g. The crate fell out of the plane into the ocean.E.g. The crate fell out of the plane, through the air and into the sea.Path windowing Window: focus attention on29

4.5.4 THE ‘FORCE-DYNAMICS SYSTEM’Derives from kinaesthesia (our bodily experience of musculareffort or motion) and somesthesia (our bodily experience ofsensations such as pressure or motion) Physical force Psychological force The ball was rolling along the beach.The ball kept rolling along the beach.He didn’t close the door.He refrained from closing the door.Social force She’s got to go to the park.She gets to go to the park.30

5. ENCYCLOPEDIC SEMANTICS Meaning – Dictionary view vs. Encyclopedic view. Conceptual Structure captures encyclopedic meaning. Research has mainly focused on the way SemanticStructure is organized relative to conceptual knowledgestructure. Lexical units can not be understood independent oflarger knowledge structure.31

5. ENCYCLOPEDIC SEMANTICS (CONTD.) Characteristics. No principled distinction between semantics andpragmatics. Encyclopedic knowledge is structured. Encyclopedic meaning emerges in context. Lexical items – points of access to Encyclopedicknowledge. Encyclopedic knowledge is dynamic.32

5.1 THEORY OF FRAME SEMANTICS Frame – Knowledge structure (schema) represented atthe conceptual level which emerges from experiences. Meaning associated with a word can not be understoodindependent of the frames with which it occurs. Continually updated and modified due to ongoinghuman experience.33

5.1.1 FRAMES IN COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY Two basic components Attribute-Val Set Structural esoperatesenginerotatestransmission34

5.1.2 CONSEQUENCES OF FRAME-MODEL Valence concerns with number of arguments and semantic rolesassumed by those arguments.Frames provide perspective coast and shore – related to strip of land adjacent to sea withrespect to different frames: Land Dwelling versus Seafaring.35

5.2 THEORY OF DOMAINS Domains – conceptual entities of varying level of complexityand organization. Should provide background information against which lexicalconcepts can be understood e.g. hot, cold designates concepts inTemperature domain.Domain matrix – range of domains that structure a lexicalconcept e.g. bird.36

5.2 THEORY OF DOMAINS (CONTD.) It can be described in terms of profile/base. Profile – part of semantic structure on which theword focuses attention. Base – not in focus, but it is necessary in order tounderstand profile. Types Basic domain Abstract domain37