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Article published In: Review of Cognitive Linguistics: Online-First Articles

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The influence of motion features in time conceptualization

 | CNRS — Laboratoire Dynamique Du Langage (Lyon)
 | University of Murcia
Published online: 11 December 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/rcl.00244.ill
Abstract
This paper examines the role of manner-of-motion verbs in shaping subjective temporal perception and emotional resonance. Through four complementary studies, we explore how these verbs influence the conceptualization of time, examining their use in literal and metaphorical (temporal) contexts. Our findings reveal that faster verbs (e.g., fly, zoom) evoke dynamic and engaging temporal experiences, often linked to positive emotions and greater agency. In contrast, slower verbs (e.g., crawl, drag) convey passivity, monotony, and negative emotions, reflecting tedious or constrained experiences of time. These effects are amplified in metaphorical contexts, where manner verbs encode emotional and experiential nuances that transcend their literal meanings. We also find that participants prefer manner verbs over path verbs (e.g., go, pass) in emotionally charged temporal contexts, as manner verbs capture the experiential and emotional qualities of time more effectively. These findings highlight the interplay between language, motion, and emotion in shaping temporal perception, offering insights into how linguistic framing influences subjective experiences of time.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction: Time and motion
  • 2.Experimental studies
    • 2.1Study 1: Emergent meanings survey
      • Participants
      • Materials
      • Procedure
      • Results and discussion
      • Conclusions
    • 2.2Study 2: Constructing meaning and valence — Manner of motion verbs in literal (physical) and metaphorical (temporal) contexts
      • Participants
      • Materials
      • Procedure
      • Results and discussion
      • Conclusions
    • 2.3Study 3: Sentence-emoji association
      • Participants
      • Materials
      • Procedure
      • Results and discussion
      • Conclusions
    • 2.4Study 4: Fill in the blanks with path and manner verbs
      • Participants
      • Materials
      • Procedure
      • Results and discussion
      • Conclusions
  • 3.General discussion and conclusions
  • References
References (33)
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