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Words as tools and the problem of abstract words meanings

Authors: BORGHI, ANNA MARIA; Cimatti F.;

Words as tools and the problem of abstract words meanings

Abstract

This paper proposes an extension of existing embodied views of cognition in order to account for the linguistic experience and its complexity. We claim that embodied views should be extended in order to consider not only language grounding but the social and normative aspects of language as well. Motor resonance mechanisms based on mirror neurons are a necessary but not sufficient component of this. We will argue that words cannot be conceived of as mere signals of something but also as tools that allows us to operate in the world. On this basis, we formulate a theoretical proposal that addresses one of the critical problems embodied views face: the problem of the so called “abstract concepts”. Our proposal extends embodied views assuming two simultaneous cognitive sources for word meanings; an individual one, the embodied individual experience, and a socially embodied one. While for words having a concrete referent labels are “attached” to concepts formed on the basis of sensorimotor individual experience, the same situation does not hold in the case of meanings of abstract words. In the latter case the cognitive source is still embodied, but primarily in the use of the social word/tool. Thus abstract words represent a means to collect a variety of sparse bodily and situational experiences.

Countries
Italy, United States, Italy
Keywords

CONCEPTS; MEANINGS; SENSORIMOTOR GROUNDING; SOCIAL GROUNDING; LANGUAGE AND SOCIETY

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green