Concept Theories
What are the two major approaches to studying concepts?
Cognitive linguistics (mental structures) and Linguoculturology (cultural units).
What are the three layers of a concept according to Stepanov?
Main layer (common knowledge), Additional layer (historical background), Inner layer (specialist knowledge).
What are lexical concepts?
Concepts directly expressed through words (e.g., "Family," "Home").
What metaphor is used in "Time is money"?
Time is conceptualized as a limited resource that can be saved, spent, or wasted.
What is the main difference between a concept and a notion?
A notion is a simplified, essential representation, while a concept includes cultural and cognitive aspects.
According to Kubryakova, what is the primary function of a concept?
A concept is a mental unit for processing, storing, and transferring knowledge.
What two parts does Frumkina divide concepts into?
Core (essential meaning) and periphery (associative, connotative features).
What is a phraseological concept?
A concept expressed through idioms or fixed expressions (e.g., "Achilles' heel" for weakness).
Identify the conceptual metaphor in "She was burning with anger".
"ANGER IS FIRE" metaphor.
How does meaning differ from concept?
Meaning is the linguistic representation of a concept, while a concept is a broader mental construct.
How does Lakoff’s Conceptual Metaphor Theory relate to the notion of concept?
It explains how abstract concepts are understood through metaphors based on embodied experiences.
In Popova & Sternin’s model, what is the difference between the informative field and the interpretational field?
The informative field contains key characteristics, while the interpretational field includes associations, values, and encyclopedic knowledge.
According to Babushkin, what is the difference between concrete and abstract concepts?
Concrete concepts refer to physical objects (e.g., "Tree"), while abstract concepts refer to ideas (e.g., "Justice").
What is a frame, and how does it relate to conceptual structures?
A frame is a structured knowledge system that organizes our understanding of experiences (e.g., "Hospital" includes doctors, patients, waiting rooms).
Why do some concepts exist in one language but not another?
Because they are culture-bound (e.g., "hygge" in Danish means cozy well-being but has no direct English equivalent)
What does Karasik say about the relationship between cognitive and cultural approaches to concept?
They are not mutually exclusive—the cognitive concept is personal, while the cultural concept is collective.
Give an example of a concept with multiple layers according to Stepanov’s model.
Example: "FREEDOM" - Main Layer: Personal liberty, Additional Layer: Political movements, Inner Layer: Philosophical theories (Locke, Rousseau).
What are kaleidoscopic concepts, and how do they differ from frames?
Kaleidoscopic concepts combine frames and emotions (e.g., "Love," "Despair"), while frames provide structured knowledge of a situation (e.g., "Wedding," "Market").
What is the difference between a frame and a schema?
Frames contain detailed knowledge about events, while schemas are more abstract mental structures.
What is an example of a concept that changed over time?
work-originally referred to physical labor for survival, later became associated with structured wages and careers, and in the digital age, now includes remote jobs, freelancing, and the gig economy.
Name three Russian linguists who contributed to concept theory and explain their viewpoints.
Stepanov (layered structure), Popova & Sternin (image, information, interpretation), Frumkina (core-periphery model).
How does the notional, image-bearing, and evaluative model explain the structure of a concept?
Notional (dictionary meaning), Image-Bearing (metaphors, idioms, proverbs), Evaluative (societal attitudes, values).
Give an example of a scenario concept and explain why it fits this type.
Example: "Travel" - it follows a sequence of events (planning → departure → arrival → return).
Give an example of a scenario concept in storytelling or real life.
Example: "Birthday Party" (Invitation → Cake → Gifts → Celebration).
Explain the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis in relation to conceptual differences.
It states that language influences thought, meaning that speakers of different languages perceive concepts differently.