A Cognitive Semantic Study of Some English Riddles and Their Answers in Amidst a Tangled Web
Journal Title: Asian Journal Social Sciences & Humanities - Year 2015, Vol 4, Issue 2
Abstract
The aim of this paper was to identify meaning construction strategies in selected English riddles and account for the mental processes involved in their production. In pursuance of this aim, 38 riddles, together with their answers, were downloaded from Amidst a Tangled Web, an online source for English riddles. The answers supplied by the riddlers were subjected to cognitive semantic reading. The riddlers’ answers were tested against our cognitive perception of the riddles, which served as clues for conducting and categorizing our analysis. Analysis of the data, based on insights from cognitive semantic theory, proclaimed the primacy of cognitive context in the semantics of the discourse of the riddle by revealing that its production and interpretation required more than conventional linguistic knowledge. The paper showed that the meaning of a riddle is an imposed meaning that relates to the logical, experiential, linguistic, literary and intuitive judgments of the riddlers. The paper concluded that a riddle is an exemplar of cognitive dimension of power dominance expressed in discourses.
Authors and Affiliations
Ibrahim Olaosun, James Faleye
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP148297
- DOI -
- Views 133
- Downloads 0
APPRAISAL OF SCHOOL PLANT ADEQUACY FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION IN AYEDAADE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
The study focused on the appraisal of adequacy of physical plant for primary education in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. The research method was descriptive. Through stratified random samp...
The Fear in Mongolian Society: Comparative Analysis
Fear (phobia) presents a social phenomenon in contemporary society and for people is important to overcome a fear and to adapt social changes and human interactions. In this paper authors have introduced results of compa...
THE MAXIM OF SUICIDE: ONE ANGLE ON BIOMEDICAL ETHICS
Addressing the question in the form of Kant’s maxim, this paper moves on to a more controversial topic in biomedical ethics, physician-assisted suicide. However, my conclusion is tentative, and what is worse, neg...
Tracing the Japanese Gothic in Madoka Magika with Blood: The Estrangement, Abjection, and Sublime Erasure of the Spectralised Mahō Shōjo Exemplum
This essay is an in-depth analysis of the Japanese Gothic in anime. The two anime of examination and inter-textual comparison include the 2011 critically acclaimed series Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magika (Puella Magi Madoka Magi...
THE RECREATION PROFESSIONAL IN THAILAND
Thailand is preparing for One ASEAN One Community in 2015. There are many plans to provide professional standards for Recreational Professions. These are being rapidly discussed as 2015 draws nea...