14. Conceptualizing the present through construal aspects
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Grzegorz Drożdż
Abstract
Since the grammar of every language can divide temporal reality in a different manner, this chapter aims to present a method of arriving at the understanding of one of its dimensions – the present – encoded in the structures of English. These structures consist of eleven temporal and aspectual constructions, which are analysed by means of Cognitive Grammar tools, namely construal aspects. To be able to make detailed observations concerning temporal reality, the author proposes to operationalise the construal aspects by ascribing specific values to them. With this approach it is possible to formulate precise conclusions concerning such facets of the present as its extent and its two boundaries – the past and future.
Abstract
Since the grammar of every language can divide temporal reality in a different manner, this chapter aims to present a method of arriving at the understanding of one of its dimensions – the present – encoded in the structures of English. These structures consist of eleven temporal and aspectual constructions, which are analysed by means of Cognitive Grammar tools, namely construal aspects. To be able to make detailed observations concerning temporal reality, the author proposes to operationalise the construal aspects by ascribing specific values to them. With this approach it is possible to formulate precise conclusions concerning such facets of the present as its extent and its two boundaries – the past and future.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Editors and contributors vii
- Foreword: Space and time in languages, cultures, and cognition xi
- Introduction: Linguistic, cultural, and cognitive approaches to space and time 1
-
Part I. Linguistic and conceptual representation of events
- 1. Event-based time intervals in an Amazonian culture 15
- 2. Vagueness in event times 37
- 3. Aspectual coercions in content composition 55
- 4. Back to the future 83
-
Part II. Cultural perspectives on space and time
- 5. The “Russian” attitude to time 103
- 6. Two temporalities of the Mongolian wolf hunter 121
- 7. Koromu temporal expressions 143
- 8. Universals and specifics of ‘time’ in Russian 167
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Part III. Conceptualizing spatio-temporal relations
- 9. Linguistic manifestations of the space-time (dis)analogy 191
- 10. Vectors and frames of reference 217
- 11. Verbal and gestural expression of motion in French and Czech 251
- 12. Language-specific effects on lexicalisation and memory of motion events 269
- 13. Space and time in episodic memory 283
- 14. Conceptualizing the present through construal aspects 305
- 15. From perception of spatial artefacts to metaphorical meaning 329
- Contents of the companion volume 351
- Name index 355
- Subject index 359
- Language index 363
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Editors and contributors vii
- Foreword: Space and time in languages, cultures, and cognition xi
- Introduction: Linguistic, cultural, and cognitive approaches to space and time 1
-
Part I. Linguistic and conceptual representation of events
- 1. Event-based time intervals in an Amazonian culture 15
- 2. Vagueness in event times 37
- 3. Aspectual coercions in content composition 55
- 4. Back to the future 83
-
Part II. Cultural perspectives on space and time
- 5. The “Russian” attitude to time 103
- 6. Two temporalities of the Mongolian wolf hunter 121
- 7. Koromu temporal expressions 143
- 8. Universals and specifics of ‘time’ in Russian 167
-
Part III. Conceptualizing spatio-temporal relations
- 9. Linguistic manifestations of the space-time (dis)analogy 191
- 10. Vectors and frames of reference 217
- 11. Verbal and gestural expression of motion in French and Czech 251
- 12. Language-specific effects on lexicalisation and memory of motion events 269
- 13. Space and time in episodic memory 283
- 14. Conceptualizing the present through construal aspects 305
- 15. From perception of spatial artefacts to metaphorical meaning 329
- Contents of the companion volume 351
- Name index 355
- Subject index 359
- Language index 363
