Cognitive Linguistics and Religious Language

Table of Contents

Title Page *

Table of Contents *

Table of Figures *

Acknowledgements *

1 Chapter One: Introduction *

1.1 Defining religion *

1.2 Ways of being religious *

1.3 Religious language *

1.4 Cognitive Linguistics and religion *

1.5 Overview of the book *

Discussion questions *

2 Chapter Two: Categorization *

2.1 Categories in cognitive science *

2.2 Elements of idealized cognitive models *

2.3 LCCM theory and religious language *

Discussion questions *

3 Chapter Three: Conceptual Metaphor *

3.1 Defining and identifying conceptual metaphor *

3.1.1 Mapping across two domains *

3.1.2 Identifying metaphor *

3.2 The function of metaphor in religious language *

3.2.1 Accessibility and understanding of mystery *

3.2.2 Conveying perspective and marking membership *

3.2.3 Construing the abstract as concrete and tangible *

3.2.4 Providing structure to an ultimate purpose *

3.2.5 Light metaphors *

Discussion questions *

4 Chapter 4: Metonymy *

4.1 Identifying metonymy *

4.2 Types of metonymy *

4.3 The function of metonymy *

4.4 The origins of metaphor and metonymy *

4.5 Metonymy and metaphor in religious language *

Discussion questions *

5 Chapter Five: Agency *

5.1 Agency in discourse analysis *

5.2 Figurative and literal conceptions of divine agency *

5.3 Levels and types of agency *

5.3.1 Levels of agency *

5.3.2 Agency and frames *

Discussion questions *

6 Chapter Six: Force Dynamics *

6.1 Force dynamics basics *

6.2 Force dynamics and religious language *

6.3 Agency and force dynamics in mystical language *

Discussion questions *

7 Chapter Seven: Conceptual Blending *

7.1 Types of conceptual blends *

7.2 Blending in religious language *

7.3 Strategic use of blends within discourse *

7.4 The Ritual of the Four Instruments *

7.5 Elaborate blends in ritual *

Discussion questions *

8 Complex System Theory *

8.1 Complex Systems Theory *

8.2 Discourse Dynamics Approach *

8.3 Applying the DDA *

Discussion questions *

9 Conclusion *

Discussion questions *

References *

Index *