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Published on: June 3, 2013
"Near" and "far" in language and perception
1Division of Behavioral Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, USA. david-kemmerer@uiowa.edu
Cognition
|October 28, 1999
Summary
The distinction between linguistic demonstratives (like this vs. that) and perceptual space (near vs. far) is not directly linked. Language-internal factors, not visual system boundaries, shape demonstrative use for spatial contrasts.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Linguistics
- Neuropsychology
Background:
- Cognitive science investigates the link between language and perception of space.
- Research explores how linguistic spatial encoding aligns with or diverges from visual processing.
- This study focuses on the differences between linguistic and visual spatial representations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To argue that the linguistic distinction between proximal and distal demonstratives is not based on perceptual near/far space.
- To examine the independence of linguistic demonstrative systems and visual spatial representations.
- To provide evidence for language-internal factors shaping demonstrative usage.
Main Methods:
- Cross-linguistic analysis of demonstrative systems.
- Review of neuropsychological and neurophysiological studies on spatial representation in the brain.
- Empirical investigation of demonstrative usage in discourse.
Main Results:
- Neuroscience suggests distinct brain mechanisms for near (peripersonal) and far (extrapersonal) space.
- Many languages use demonstrative systems with more than two spatial regions, contradicting a simple near/far visual split.
- Demonstratives encode abstract semantic notions, not precise quantitative spatial information like arm's reach.
Conclusions:
- The linguistic distinction between proximal and distal demonstratives is independent of the perceptual distinction between near and far space.
- Language-internal factors and pragmatic context allow for nuanced spatial contrasts beyond simple perceptual boundaries.
- Demonstratives exemplify a divergence between linguistic and perceptual representations of space.
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