Moving along paths in space and time

Abstract

In cognitive linguistics, motion metaphors of time (e.g. Christmas is approaching, We left the crisis behind) have been actively studied during the last decades. In addition to motion verbs, prepositional expressions are an important element in such metaphors. This work combines insights from Cognitive Grammar and Conceptual Metaphor Theory to account for uses of English path prepositions in motion metaphors of time. It is argued that such expressions conceptualize time as a path where a mover is advancing. The nature of the mover varies: it can be an individual entity metaphorically in motion (e.g. We wentTHROUGHa hard winter), an extended period of time (e.g. The period of Daylight Saving Time goes onPASTSeptember), or the temporal profile of a process (e.g. I sleptTHROUGHthe afternoon). The nature of the mover correlates with the grammatical function of the path expression, which alternates between a complement of a motion verb and a free modifier. Accordingly, the time path can relate with figurative (motion-related) or veridical (duration-related) conceptualizations of time. While a spatial path is direction-neutral, a time path can, with few exceptions, only be scrutinized in the earlier $\rightarrow$ later direction.

Estructura informativa, oralidad y escritura en español y alemán

“…As an upcoming hypothesis, it seems that the preferential use of spatial deixis at early stages of language acquisition reflects the immaturity of sensory perception and respective memory. This finding supports prior assumptions on the tight and unidirectional interrelation of space and time (Piaget et al 1973;Haspelmath 1997;Levinson 2003;Huumo 2017) as space perception apparently prepares the ground for time perception in the course of cognitive and linguistic maturation.…”

“…The present study aims to inductively analyze natural speech data with respect to the three primary deictic dimensions, especially focusing on the relation between space and time (Piaget et al 1973;Haspelmath 1997;Levinson 2003;Shinohara & Pardeshi 2011;Huumo 2017). Within this frame it adds to the relatively rare linguistic studies dedicated to the speech production of young bilingual learners (age under four years) and child-directed speech (Deuchar & Quay 2000;Garlin 2008;Silva-Corvalán 2014).…”

Mõistemetafoorid sõnaga "aeg" eesti keeles

“…Olemismetafooride alusel saab rääkida abstraktsetest asjadest, nagu oleks need kas isikud, füüsilised asjad, mahutid või maaalad (Lakoff, Johnson 2011: 58-67). Suunametafooridega on seotud küsimus, kuidas ruumilisel viitamisel kasutatavaid taustsüsteeme (reference frames, vt Levinson 2003; Veismann 2020) saab üle kanda aja valdkonda (Haspelmath 1997;Nunez jt 2006;Tenbrink 2007Tenbrink , 2011Moore 2011;Sinha jt 2011;Evans 2013;Huumo 2015Huumo , 2018.…”