BMA-AMED-430
BMI-AMED-430E
Cognitive Linguistics (Kognitív nyelvészet) in spring 2013
Benczes Réka, Mon 11:00–12:30, R439, host: DAS (R306)
5-credit seminar, 30 h/term; strong prereq: BMA-AMED-330 331
description & set texts
The aim of this course is to investigate the creativity of American English within a cognitive linguistic framework. American English is extremely prolific in the creation of new words, a process that can be considered as a highly creative and innovative act on the part of the language speaker. By using already existing words and/or word formation patterns, new linguistic units are created, which either reach the stage of lexicalization or remain occasional single formations.

Traditional approaches to word formation assume an established stock of word formation processes (such as compounding, derivation, conversion, shortening, etc.) and units (e.g., affixes, combining forms, words). Examples that do not fit tightly into these categories are typically considered to be either exceptional or peripheral. However, assuming that language is to a large part motivated, the seminar will explore the cognitive processes underlying the production of slightly deviant, yet highly intriguing linguistic phenomena (based mostly on American English examples), such as euphemisms, blends, -er nominals, metaphorical compounds and acronyms, and will aim to answer the following questions: what sort of cognitive processes are involved in the formation of novel words; what are the pragmatic considerations and contextual factors that play a role in the formation of neologisms; and what generalizations can be made with regard to the creative streak of present-day American English.

Set texts: Various cognitive linguistic articles on word formation.

requirements & assessment
Active class participation (30%); two in-class presentations (30%); mini research (40%).