Meaning in the mind within the sociocultural commitment of Cognitive Linguistics

Abstract

The article reviews the problem of meaning construction and language use in the field of sociocultural cognitive semantics, focusing on meaning as a dynamic experience construction process represented by virtue of language within multiple networks of human knowledge. After outlining the core theoretical assumptions, the article examines the empirical evidence on the processes that underlie the generation of meaning. The paper presents five outcomes for both usage-based theory and empirical linguistic methodology. In reviewing the evidence, we highlight issues of alternative potential explanations as well as remaining areas for future research. The approach establishes new findings and authentic contributions to cognitive linguistics.