Semantic extensions of body part terms: Common patterns and their interpretation

Abstract

The article focuses on the human body as source domain in conceptualization of things and abstract notions in various target domains. Cross-linguistic data of European and non-European languages are brought to attention to demonstrate a striking convergence in lexical transfer of body part terms in the 'embodied' domains of emotions, knowledge and reasoning, social interactions and values. Common patterns are also observed in grammaticalization and in other external domains. The analysis takes into account three different, but interrelated perspectives: cognition and conceptualization, culture, and usage criteria in order to explain cross-linguistic similarities and differences. It is demonstrated how the findings contribute to the research on language universals, but also to the linguistic studies of cultural models. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.