Regier Model Lecture Jerome A. Feldman February 28, 2006 With help from Matt Gedigian

Neural Theory of Language

Trajector/Landmark Schema Roles: Trajector (TR) – object being located Landmark (LM) – reference object TR and LM may share a location (at)

TR/LM -- asymmetry The cup is on the table ?The table is under the cup. The skateboard is next to the post. ?The post is next to the skateboard.

Language and Frames of Reference There seem to be three prototypical frames of reference in language (Levinson) Intrinsic Relative Absolute

Language and Thought We know thought (our cognitive processes) constrains the way we learn and use language Does language also influence thought? Benjamin Whorf argues yes Psycholinguistics experiments have shown that linguistics categories influence thinking even in non-linguistics task Language Thought cognitive processes

Basis of Image Schemas Perceptual systems Motor routines Social Cognition Image Schema properties depend on Neural circuits Interactions with the world

Image schemas Trajector / Landmark (asymmetric) The bike is near the house ? The house is near the bike Boundary / Bounded Region bounded region has a closed boundary Topological Relations Separation, Contact, Overlap, Inclusion, Surround Orientation Vertical (up/down), Horizontal Absolute (E, S, W, N) LM TR bounded region boundary

Spatial schemas TR/LM relation Boundaries, bounded region Topological relations Orientational Axes Proximal/Distal

Topological Relations Separation Contact Coincidence: - Overlap - Inclusion - Encircle/surround

Limitations Scale Uniqueness/Plausibility Grammar Abstract Concepts Inference Representation