Semantic Parameters, Cognitive Models, and Mental Units

Abstract

The paper explores the relationship between the linguistic and the conceptual system. The author argues for two main types of information that are vital for linguistically mediated communication. These are cognitive models and frames, and semantic parameters. Cognitive models and frames are rich coherent non-linguistic bodies of knowledge that are generally associated with open-class items. On the other hand, semantic parameters are bundles of schematic information that constitute part of the semantic pole of a symbolic unit and might be divided into conceptual and linguistic. The paper illustrates the two main types of information and seeks a unified account of their conceptual relations.