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Homework : Cognitive Linguistics

Due date: 10 nov 2011


1.  Consider the two descriptions for this image:
    a) the indian roller is on the window-ledge. 
    b) the window ledge is below the 
       indian roller.

one of these is less acceptable than the other.  

one explanation for this may be in terms of a 
figure-ground distinction. very broadly, figure 
is more likely to be get attended to than the 
ground.

this type of selection is widespread in 
language. 

cognitive linguists point to such cases as evidence for language arising from
general cognitive functions, and not being "autonomous".  present your
own view (1 or 2 paragraphs) on this. 


2. COMPLEX PREDICATES consists of two verbs, e.g. the Hindi "ro paRA".  One
of these gives most of the meaning (ro), and determines how many arguments
there are and what they are doing.  this is the "heavy verb".  the other verb
(paRA), called a "light verb", is thought to be "grammaticalized" and may
contribute to finer aspects of temporal meaning, what is called the
"grammatical aspect".

ask two Hindi speakers about the following comninations of HV (rows) and LVs
(columns): 

		gayA	chalA	paRA	DaalA	uThA
	nikal	
	keh	
	bol	
	ro	
	has	

a) of these 25 possible combinations which are acceptable in the language of
   your interlocutor? 
b) record some usage examples with the LVs gayA, paRA and uThA?  How do
   these differ in meaning, in their opinions? 
c) what can you say about the nature of energy use when using the Light Verb "uThA"? 

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