Fauconnier, Gilles. 1990. Domains and connections. Journal Article. pp. 151-174
Abstract
One striking formal characteristic of cognitive semantics is its emphasis on mappings and correspondences between domains, as opposed to rules and logical representations restricted to sentences. While language undeniably has structure of its own, it also links up in essential ways with other cognitively motivated structures and central features of language organization depend on such links. The present paper presents more evidence for the important role played by domain mapping in basic understanding. Various kinds of previously unnoticed counterfactual constructions are examined in this light, along with cognitive operators such as 'when'. Matching conditions imposed by constructions on connected spaces are studied. They provide the basis for a realistic account of generalized inference and partial truth assignment from a cognitive perspective.(Gilles Fauconnier)