Cognitive Modeling and conceptual complexity in translation, multimodal communication, and constructionalization stars

Abstract

This PhD dissertation explores cognitive modeling applied to three different areas of analysis: constructionalization, translation, and multimodality. Its aim is to account for the great potential of cognitive models and cognitive operations in the conceptualization and understanding of both figurative and non-figurative language used in different contexts. To this end, the theoretical framework underlying this work is that of Cognitive Linguistics, more specifically the latest developments on cognitive modeling, including the fundamental role played by conceptual complexes. The data used for the analysis derives from various sources such as the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA), Google, and online repositories like the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), filmsite.org, and adsoftheworld. The first study examines hyperbolic markers and their pivotal role in constructing hyperbolic scenarios. The second paper analyzes the relationship between original English film titles and their translations into Peninsular Spanish in terms of cognitive operations, either working in isolation or, more often, in combination. Finally, the third contribution offers an in-depth study of a corpus of multimodal advertisements. These are analyzed as the result of the fruitful interaction of cognitive operations resulting in conceptual complexes.