Pulling (Closer) and Pushing (Away): Verbs Expressing Attraction and Repulsion in English

Authors

  • Ana Bjelogrlić

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18485/bells.2016.8.3

Keywords:

verbs expressing attraction and repulsion, ATTRACTION, REPULSION, FORCE, force dynamics, image schema, cognitive semantics, cognitive linguistics

Abstract

Set within the theoretical framework of cognitive semantics and the embodied cognition thesis, and based on the force-dynamic system (Talmy 2000) and the image schema concept (Johnson 1987), the paper explores some of the prototypical verbal exponents of the ATTRACTION and REPULSION image schemas. Its aim is to examine how force interactions which include two entities – one of which is exerting its force (the Antagonist) to either pull closer or push away the other entity (the Agonist) – are expressed in English. The paper focuses on abstract force interactions, resulting from interactions in the concrete, physical domain being mapped onto more abstract domains, via conceptual metaphor, which accounts for the polysemy of the verbs (Lakoff & Johnson 1980).

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Published

2016-11-30

How to Cite

Bjelogrlić, A. (2016). Pulling (Closer) and Pushing (Away): Verbs Expressing Attraction and Repulsion in English. Belgrade English Language and Literature Studies, 8(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.18485/bells.2016.8.3

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2016): BELLS - volume 8

Section

THEORETICAL AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS

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