Compression and representation

Abstract

Mental spaces are often connected by vital conceptual relations. When mental spaces serve as inputs to a blended mental space, the vital conceptual relations between them can be ‘compressed’ to blended structure inside the blended mental space. In other words, ‘outer-space’ relations become ‘inner-space’ relations. This article discusses compression of the outer-space relation of representation under mental blending.

“Please continue to be an anime lover”: The use of defamation metaphors in Hong Kong electoral discourse

“…In the process of compression, elements that are conceptually not compatible in terms of space, time, etc. are transformed to unique structures that are construable to the human mind (Turner, 2006).…”

Language means realizing the prototypical situation of expressing basic emotions in English

“…Then, out of the corpus of lexical means which hypothetically can verbalize one and the same situation in the world, some are more prominent prototypically and will be used more often in speech than the others -less prominent ones. For example, the noun and predicate surprise (4962), and their synonyms wonder (6188), shock (4163), disbelief (594), astonishment (505), amazement (471), bewilderment (230) are supposed to be used more often than to stagger (127), to amaze (95), to stun (83), to startle (64), to astound (18), to astonish (25), to shock [6]. They are considered to be prototypical means and specific markers to verbalize the prototypical situation of expressing surprise, because all together they make a high percentage of performance.…”

“…Only those meanings of mental spaces that are relevant for the speaker in a new entity can be subject to integration, while the others are ignored. [14], [17], [18]. As an example by Fauconnier, "He is the Immanuel Kant of modern philosophy" is considered to be the blend where two input mental spaces have been projected ("a modern philosopher" and "Immanuel Kant"), and the meaning is conveyed that this philosopher is exceptionally competent.…”

Metaphoric Blends in Online Cartoons on Egypt’s Education System

“…CB is based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), in terms of mappings and projections, and Mental Spaces Theory (MST) in terms of mental spaces to account for the construction of meanings (Evans & Green, 2006). Conceptual Integration Theory is a basic mental activity embedded in every aspect of human experience (Coulson & Oakley, 2000;Evans & Green, 2006;Fauconnier & Turner, 2002;Turner, 2006). Coulson and Oakley (2000) claim that "Conceptual blending is a theoretical framework for exploring human information integration" (p.176).…”

“…The two input spaces contain distinct organizing frames that compose the blend (Fauconnier &Turner, 2002;Turner, 2006). However, the structure resulting from inputs is sometimes incompatible and thus leads to clashes between the organizing frames, which render the blend extremely innovative (Fauconnier & Turner, 2002).…”