Abstract

MAHLER, Carolina. Conceptual Metaphor Processing through Quinian Bootstrapping. Rev Arg Cs Comp. [online]. 2021, vol.13, n.2, pp.1-13.  Epub July 29, 2020. ISSN 1852-4206.

Through an ontogenic approach, this is a re-elaborated proposal of the notion of Quinian bootstrapping (QB) for its application to the theory of conceptual metaphor (TCM), particularly to the cognitive link between the schematic thought in the source domain and its corresponding target domain. In view of TCM’s scantily-elaborated theoretical specifications regarding ontogeny and intersubjectivity in metaphorical thought, this article applies QB to the TCM. Initially, care-givers would use placeholders (lexical items) that would carry meaning but which would be content-empty for the infant. Modulated by prosody and gesture in recurrent experiences, placeholders would operate as public and ex-plicit signals relevant to the adult community. As from 2 years of age, the infant would manage to load the placeholders with the meaning used by those around her by connect-ing a domain of experience grounded on her body and perception to another domain referred to by the speech community.

Keywords : cognitive development; linguistic-multimodal placeholder; metaphor; schematic thought.

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