The SBL Cognitive Linguistics & Biblical Interpretations session call for papers is out. The theme session looks like it will be excellent this year:

Cognitive Linguistics in Biblical Interpretation Program Session:

For the Annual Meeting in Boston 2020 we will host two sessions: an open session on cognitive linguistics and biblical interpretation in general, and an open, themed session on cognitive linguistics and Bible translation. Both sessions seek to apply findings from cognitive linguistics to biblical interpretation. In particular, our focus is on how various methodological approaches from cognitive theory enable contemporary scholars to understand and interact with ancient texts.

Call for Papers for the Open Session: Papers should use and explore at least one cognitive linguistic method to study a biblical text or corpus. Possible approaches include, for example, conceptual metaphor theory, prototype theory, frame semantics, construction grammar, or viewpoint analysis. Papers are required to go beyond methodological reflection by including exegetical and linguistic results.

Call for Papers for the Themed Session, “Cognitive Linguistics and the Translation of Biblical Texts”: This session focuses on how cognitive resources (for example: frames or constructions) can enhance the study of translation issues in a discrete biblical text.

Successful proposals indicate which cognitive linguistic models and/or method(s) are used. They should include a bibliography, and they should reveal the author’s assessment of both the payoffs and the challenges of using the chosen methods for analyzing biblical material. Scholars and students new to the field of Cognitive Linguistics are encouraged to submit proposals for papers.

I’m currently working on a proposal myself on frame semantics, construal, and profiling and their relevance to how we approach vocabulary acquisition and Greek language pedagogy.

Submit your own proposal for the Cognitive Linguistics session here.