Spatial communication systems across languages reflect universal action constraints

The extent to which languages share properties reflecting the non-linguistic constraints of the speakers who speak them is key to the debate regarding the relationship between language and cognition. A critical case is spatial communication, where it has been argued that semantic universals should exist, if anywhere. Here, using an experimental paradigm able to separate variation within a language from variation between languages, we tested the use of spatial demonstratives—the most fundamental and frequent spatial terms across languages. In n = 874 speakers across 29 languages, we show that speakers of all tested languages use spatial demonstratives as a function of being able to reach or act on an object being referred to. In some languages, the position of the addressee is also relevant in selecting between demonstrative forms. Commonalities and differences across languages in spatial communication can be understood in terms of universal constraints on action shaping spatial language and cognition

Semantics of Latvian spatial prepositions and cognitive aspects of their lexicalization

Anotācija Pētījums par latviešu telpiskas nozīmes semantisko ststēmu izmanto kognitīvu modeli, kurš paredza, ka prievārdu leksikalizāciju nosaka trīs līmeņi: references rāmis, meklēšanas domēns un funkcionālās zināšanas. Latviešu telpiskas nozīmes prievārdu semantiska analīze parāda, ka, apstiprinot A.Herskovicas (1996) pieņēmumu par prepozīciju pamatsemantiku, arī latviešu valodas prievārdiem var izšķirt pamatnozīmi, no kuras atvasināmas visas pārējās. i.e. veidojas prievārdu polisēmija. No pētījuma izriet, ka prepozīciju leksikalizācijā meklēšanas domēns ir svarīgs nozīmi piešķirošs kognitīvs aspekts, kura funkcija ir tieši saistīta ar references noteikšanu un zināšanām par reālās pasaules pragmatiskajiem nosacījumiem. Uztvere, kā multimodāls kognitīvs fenomens, informāciju pārnes shematiskā veidolā, kas savukārt ir balstīts uz restrikcijām, kas veido formātu, kādā valodas struktūra iekodē jēdzienu nozīmes. Atslēgvārdi: references rāmis, meklēšanas domēns, fukcionālās zināšanas, telpiskas nozīmes prievārdi, vietas un virziena semantiskie pamatelementiAbstract The present research on the semantic system of Latvian spatial prepositions employs a cognitive model which presupposes interaction among three levels: reference frame, search domain and functional knowledge. The semantic analysis of latvian prepositions demonstrates that consisten with Herskovitz (1996) claim regarding core meanings of prepositions, Latvian prepositions also testify there can be distinguished one core meaning from which derive all extended meanings forming a polysemantic semantic network. The study shows that in lexicalization of spatial meanings search domain has a crucial cognitive aspect the function of which is directly linked to reference determination and the pragamatic aspects arising from the real world environment. Perception, as multi-modal cognitive phenomenon, transforms perceived information into shematic maps which is then based on constrains determines the format in which language encodes spatial meanings. Key words: reference frame, search domain, functional knowledge, spatial prepositions, place and path geometric invariant