Ewa D?browska
Cognitive Linguistics’ seven deadly sins
Northumbria University
abstract cognitive linguistics approach language study based three central premises function language convey meaning linguistic description must rely constructs psychologically real grammar emerges usage last 40 years approach studying language made enormous strides virtually every aspect linguistic inquiry achieving major insights well bringing conceptual unification language sciences however also faced problems argue must addressed approach continue flourish shared generative linguistics peculiar cognitive approach former include excessive reliance introspective evidence paying lip service cognitive commitment much focus hypothesis formulation enough hypothesis testing ignoring individual differences neglecting social aspects language latter include assuming deduce mental representations patterns use equating distribution meaning conclude sketching pitfalls could avoided