Is Cognitive Linguistics a branch of psychology or linguistics?
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Cognitive Linguistics: A Branch of Linguistics or Psychology?
Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics
Cognitive Linguistics (CL) is a relatively new and interdisciplinary field that emerged in the late 1980s to 1990s. It is grounded in the theory of the second generation of cognitive science and experiential philosophy, opposing the transformational generative grammar of mainstream linguistics. This field integrates insights from various disciplines, including artificial intelligence, linguistics, psychology, and systems theory, to explain the creation, learning, and application of language through human cognition.
Cognitive Linguistics as a Branch of Linguistics
Cognitive Linguistics is primarily considered a branch of linguistics. It focuses on the relationship between language and cognition, emphasizing the psychological mechanisms and cognitive processes involved in language use and understanding. The field has made significant theoretical and practical contributions to linguistic studies over the past 40 years, establishing itself as a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary school of linguistics.
Psychological Foundations of Cognitive Linguistics
While Cognitive Linguistics is rooted in linguistics, it heavily borrows theories and concepts from psychology. Theories such as categorization, prototype theory, and schema theory, which are central to cognitive linguistics, originate from psychological research. This integration highlights the psychological basis of cognitive linguistics, drawing from branches of psychology like empiricism, Gestalt psychology, and cognitive psychology.
The Interdisciplinary Nature of Cognitive Linguistics
Cognitive Linguistics is closely related to psycholinguistics, which is based on psychology and involves the study of language memory, phonological perception, and language learning. However, Cognitive Linguistics focuses more on the internal cognitive processes of the speaker, whereas psycholinguistics often emphasizes the psychological aspects of language behavior. This interdisciplinary approach allows cognitive linguists to import models and methods from psychology and other cognitive sciences to develop and test their linguistic theories.
Cognitive Linguistics and Cognitive Science
Cognitive Linguistics is considered one of the principal branches of "second generation cognitive science," which emerged from the "second cognitive revolution" of the late 20th century. This field is seen as the rightful inheritor of an older tradition that predates the behaviorist dominance in mid-20th century psychology, drawing heavily on biology, linguistics, philosophy, anthropology, and sociology. Cognitive linguists aim to transform their field into a core cognitive science by adopting a more scientific outlook and focusing on operationalizable and falsifiable linguistic constructs.
Conclusion
In summary, Cognitive Linguistics is primarily a branch of linguistics that integrates insights from psychology and other cognitive sciences to study the relationship between language and cognition. While it borrows heavily from psychological theories, its main focus remains on linguistic phenomena and the cognitive processes underlying language use. This interdisciplinary approach has allowed Cognitive Linguistics to make significant contributions to both linguistic theory and cognitive science.
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