Cognitive Linguistics: An Introduction

by Vyvyan Evans, Melanie Green

A general introduction to the area of theoretical linguistics known as cognitive linguistics, this textbook provides up-to-date coverage of all areas of the field, including recent developments within cognitive semantics (such as Primary Metaphor Theory, Conceptual Blending Theory, and Principled Polysemy), and cognitive approaches to grammar (such as Radical Construction Grammar and Embodied Construction Grammar). The authors offer clear, critical evaluations of competing formal approaches within theoretical linguistics. For example, cognitive linguistics is compared to Generative Grammar and Relevance Theory. In the selection of material and in the presentations, the authors have aimed for a balanced perspective.

Part II, Cognitive Semantics, and Part III, Cognitive Approaches to Grammar, have been created to be read independently. The authors have kept in mind that different instructors and readers will need to use the book in different ways tailored to their own goals. The coverage is suitable for a number of courses.

While all topics are presented in terms accessible to both undergraduate and graduate students of linguistics, cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics, cognitive science, and modern languages, this work is sufficiently comprehensive and detailed to serve as a reference work for scholars who wish to gain a better understanding of cognitive linguistics.

Genres: Linguistics, Language, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Psychology

830 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2006

About the author

Vyvyan Evans is a native of Chester, England. He holds a PhD in linguistics from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and is a Professor of Linguistics. He has published numerous acclaimed popular science and technical books on language and linguistics. His popular science essays and articles have appeared in numerous venues including 'The Guardian', 'Psychology Today', 'New York Post', 'New Scientist', 'Newsweek' and 'The New Republic'. His award-winning writing focuses, in one way or another, on the nature of language and mind, the impact of technology on language, and the future of communication. His science fiction work explores the status of language and digital communication technology as potential weapons of mass destruction. For further biographical details visit his official website: www.vyvevans.net. For details of his science fiction writing, visit the Songs of the Sage book series website: www.songs-of-the-sage.com.

Reviews

[Sahand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive.
The new edition published in 2019.

[zynphull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only finished with the first two parts, the most relevant ones for my research interests at the time.

In any case, I found this to be an excellent primer on the breadth and depth of cognitive linguistics research. I hadn't read other introductory texts on this subject - only Lakoff's Women, Fire and Dangerous Things and some assorted papers, and I found Evans' and Green's book provided me with a more solid background on the different research venues and theoretical approaches/grounds of cogLing, as well as a good grasp of its main differences both with traditional, Chomskian-inspired generativist grammar and with formal semantic theories.

[Tomek D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a little bit more than a standard introduction. It gives a comprehensive overview of all of the most relevant and frequently studied phenomena in CL and goes into details only when necessary. Definetly for those who would like to learn from a well-written and accessible text. No background knowledge of CL required, which is for sure a plus.

[Natasha Basil · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book. It touchs upon the main topics in linguistics which are explained from the view of cognitive linguists. More importantly, it uses a formal approach as a basis for comparison. An easy read even for a textbook.

[Mika · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction on such a rich topic!

[Solveig Wherrity Granath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent overview of cognitive linguistics. It is very comprehensive, which makes it suitable also for people with little background in the field.