A general introduction to cognitive linguistics, this textbook provides up-to-date coverage of all areas of the field. While topics are presented in terms accessible to both undergraduate and graduate students, this work is sufficiently comprehensive and detailed to serve as a reference work for scholars who wish to gain a better understanding of cognitive linguistics.

Contents:Part I:Overview of the Cognitive Linguistics Enterprise. What Does It Mean to Know a Language? The Nature of Cognitive Linguistics: Assumptions and Commitments. Universals and Variation in Language, Thought, and Experience. Language in Use: Knowledge of Language, Language Change, and Language Acquisition. Part II:Cognitive Semantics. What Is Cognitive Semantics? Embodiment and Conceptual Structure. The Encyclopaedic View of Meaning. Categorisation and Idealised Cognitive Models. Metaphor and Metonymy. Word Meaning and Radial Categories. Meaning Construction and Mental Spaces. Conceptual Blending. Cognitive Semantics in Context. Part III:Cognitive Approaches to Grammar. What Is a Cognitive Approach to Grammar? The Conceptual Basis of Grammar. Cognitive Grammar: Word Classes. Cognitive Grammar: Constructions. Cognitive Grammar: Tense, Aspect, Mood, and Voice. Motivating a Construction Grammar. The Architecture of Construction Grammars. Grammaticalisation. Cognitive Approaches to Grammar in Context. Part IV:Conclusion. Assessing the Cognitive Linguistics Enterprise.