Cover not available

Article published In: International Journal of Language and Culture
Vol. 9:2 (2022) ► pp.233–257

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload PDF
EPUB logo with download linkDownload EPUB
authorization required

A spatial model of conceptualization of time

With special reference to English and Armenian fairy tales

 | Armenian State Pedagogical University after Kh. Abovyan
 | Armenian State Pedagogical University after Kh. Abovyan
Published online: 21 October 2022
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ijolc.21071.mkh
Abstract
This paper presents a cognitive study of the lexical means of conceptualization of time in English and Armenian fairy tales, and outlines the ways in which such conceptualizations are expressed in both languages. A spatial model for the conceptualization of time is introduced, which helps reveal the complexities of lexical expressions of time in these fairy tale texts. The model is depicted by geometric delineations and comprises the schemas which best conform to the folkloristic genre; the depictions consist of a set comprising: point, interval, line, cycle, circle, and segment of a circle. A comparative analysis between the languages reveals that each of these schemas is represented in both languages but to differing extents. Lexically, the schemas are primarily expressed in English by noun phrases paired with prepositions, and in Armenian by prepositions or postpositions or their morphological synonyms. Other means of schema expression in both languages include, with slight differences, number markers, adverbs, adjectives, conjunctions, and deictics.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Language and cognition
    • 1.2Space and time relationships
    • 1.3Space and time in fairy tales
  • 2.A spatial model for the conceptualization of time and lexical means of its presentation
    • 2.1The point:
      • 2.1.1The Fixed Point:
      • 2.1.2The Approximate Point:
      • 2.1.3The Deictic Point:
      • 2.1.4The Indefinite Point:
    • 2.2The Interval:
      • 2.2.1The Fixed Interval:
      • 2.2.2The Conventionally-Fixed Interval:
      • 2.2.3The Indefinite Interval:
      • 2.2.4The Approximate Interval:
    • 2.3The Line:
      • 2.3.1A Straight Line:
      • 2.3.2Broken Line:
      • 2.3.3The Perspective Line
        • 2.3.3.1Simultaneity:
        • 2.3.3.2Priority
        • 2.3.3.3Succession
    • 2.4Cycle:
    • 2.5Circle:
    • 2.6Segment of a Circle:
  • 3.Conclusion
    • Geometric delineations
  • Notes
  • References
References (34)
References
Aghayan, G. (1956). Selected works [Y’ntir erker]. Yerevan: Haypethrat.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Arakelyan, V. (1957). Semantic meanings of cases and prepositions/Postpositions in modern Armenian [Jhamanakakic hayereni holovneri & holovakan kapakcowt’yownneri imastayin ar’owmnery’]. Yerevan: Academy of Sciences Publishers.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Arutyunova, N. (1990). Theory of metaphor. Metaphor and discourse [Teorija metafory. Metafora i diskurs]. Moscow: Progress.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Asatryan, M. (1983). Modern Armenian. Morphology. [Jhamanakakic hayoc lezow. sharahyowsowt’yown]. Yerevan: Yerevan State University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Ashliman, D. (1999–2022). Abducted by aliens, available at URL [URL] (accessed on 20-01-2021).
(2013–2022). Advice well taken, available at URL [URL] (accessed on 10-12-2020).
Atanasyan, L. C., & Butuzov, B. F. (1992). Geometry, school book for 7–9 grades [Geometrija, 7–9 klass]. Moscow: Prasvishenie.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bakhtin, М. М. (1975). Forms of time and chronotops in the novel [Formy vremeni i hronotopa v romane]. Moscow: Fiction.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bergson, A. (1992). Collected works in four volumes [Sobranie sochinenij v chetyreh tomah]. Moscow: Moscow Club.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Boldirev, N. (2009). Conceptual basis of language [Konceptual’naja osnova jazyka]. Cognitive Research of Language, 41, 25–77.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Campbell, J. (1890). Popular tales of the West Highlands, vol. I, II1, available at URL [URL] (accessed on 01-12-2020).Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Chafe, W. (1994). Discourse, consciousness, and time. Chicago & London: The University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Fauconnier, G. (1997). Mappings in thought and language. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Fillmore, C. (1966). Toward a modern theory of case. Columbus: The Ohio State University Research Foundation.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Geeraerts, D. & Cuyckens, H. (2010). Oxford handbook of cognitive linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hartland, E. (2018) [1890]. English fairy and other folk tales. London: Global Grey, ebook edition. URL [URL]
Janda, L. (2015). Cognitive linguistics in the year 2015. Cognitive Semantics, 1(1), 132–154. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Jivanyan, A. (2007). The fairy tale as archetext. Yerevan: Zangak.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kujundžić, N. (2020). Narrative space and spatial transference in Jacob and Wilhelm Grimmʼs fairy tales. Doctoral thesis defended at the University of Zagreb.
Lakoff, G. (1991). Cognitive versus generative linguistics: How commitments influence results. Language & Communication, 111, 53–62. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lakoff, G. & Johnson, M. (2003). Metaphors we live by. Chicago & London: University of Chicago Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Langacker, R. W. (2008). Cognitive grammar: A basic introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lüthi, M. (1982). The European folktale: Form and nature. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lyons, J. (1968). Introduction to theoretical linguistics. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Makhovikova, D. (2012). Lexical means of conceptualization of time in modern English [Leksicheskie sredstva konceptualizacii vremeni v sovremennom anglijskom jazyke]. Doctoral thesis defended at the Tambov State University.
Nicolaisen, W. (1980). Space in folk narrative. In Nikolai Burlakoff and Carl Lindahl (eds.), Folklore on Two Continents. Essays in Honor of Linda Dégh, (pp. 14–18). Bloomington: Trickster Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(1991). The past as place: Names, stories, and the remembered self. Folklore, 102(1), 3–15. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Paducheva, E. V. (2000). Space as form of time or vice versa (on typology of metonymic transfers). Logical analysis of language. Modern languages of space [Frazeologicheskij obraz v jazykovyh modeljah prostranstva, vremeni i kolichestva: Na materiale frazeologii sovremennogo russkogo jazyka]. Moscow: Languages of Russian Culture.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Propp, V. (1968). Morphology of the folktale. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Talmy, L. (2000). Toward a cognitive semantics. Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Tenbrink, T. (2007). Space, time, and the use of language: An investigation of relationships. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Toporova, V. M. (1999). Concept form in the semantic space of language [Koncept forma v semanticheskom prostranstve jazyka]. Voronezh: Istoki.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Tumanyan H. (1904). Collection of works [Erkeri jhoghovac’ow]. Yervan: Hajpethrat.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
von Franz, Marie-Louis. (2017). The interpretation of fairy tales. Colorado: Shambhala.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cited by (1)

Cited by one other publication

Alemi, Minoo & Zia Tajeddin
2025. Cultural Conceptualizations and ELT Curriculum. In Cultural Linguistics and ELT Curriculum [Cultural Linguistics, ], ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 12 december 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue