Author: Kris Lyle

A New Model for Mapping Meaning

Words do not have senses. At least in the sense we like to think they do. In this post we’ll look at a new model of mapping meaning that’s gaining momentum among Cognitive Linguistics.

Limits of Subjectivity

The meaning of words and expressions are notoriously difficult to analyze. Lexicographers have their work cut out for them in building a dictionary. Most often their methodology is based on subjective methods. But this makes it difficult to challenge their conclusions — at least in a capacity that relies on more than strong personal convictions. Is there another way to doing the backend investigations of lexicography?

First Impressions of Cognitive Linguistics (or, Hurdles for the Biblical Scholar-Linguist)

As one krɪs wraps up his PhD another begins his own. (More details about that later). All that to say, as I’ve been getting familiar with the linguistic literature around which my own dissertation will revolve I’m just struck by how much—again—there is to learn, and similarly, how much there is I want to share. Most recently I came across an interesting section of an article that’s likely relevant for many biblical scholars who find themselves interested in dabbling with linguistics, and with the program of Cognitive Linguistics in particular.So without further ado, I give you the words of Geeraerts (2006:40–42)—he who has ears let him hear…