Cognitive Linguistics lecture 6精品分析.doc

Lecture Six Iconicity 6.1 Introduction 6.1.1 Significance of iconicity study In the cognitive linguistic field as well as in other linguistic and non-linguistic fields in the world, especially in the Western world, iconicity, one of the important research areas, has been attracting more and more attention and interest since the 1980s and is currently under heated study. This is well reflected in the fact that more than six international symposiums have been held exclusively on the study of iconicity (Wang Yin, 2001, p. 332; http://home.hum.uva.nl/iconicity/) and more and more articles and books on iconicity research have been and are being published. At present, the focus of iconicity research in the Western world is shifting from the linguistic levels of phonology, morphology, and syntax to the level of text. According to the theory of cognitive linguistics, iconicity, as an attribute of language opposite to the attribute of arbitrariness, manifests itself in language at the levels of phonology, morphology, syntax, and even text. In this sense, iconicity is taken as a natural attribute of language, hence the importance of iconicity in language and linguistic study. 6.1.2 A According to traditional linguistics, including Saussure and his structuralism, esp. Chomsky’s TG, the primary feature of language signs is their arbitrariness. However, in light of modern linguistics, esp. according to cognitive linguistics, language signs are not only of an arbitrary feature but they are also motivated. According to Lu Bingfu et al. (2005: 32-39), all linguistic forms are motivated. The study of iconicity falls within the research scope of motivation underlying language. 6.2 International symposiums on iconicity research, relevant publications, websites 6.2.1 Symposiums 1) The symposium on ‘Iconicity in Syntax’ (Stanford University, 24-26 June 1983) 2) The symposium on ‘Iconicity in Language’ (The University of Rome, October 1992) 3) The Symposium ‘Iconicity in Language and Li