Unveiling the Physical and Biological Roots of German Modal Constructions

What is it about?

This paper starts out from a radical embodied analysis of German modals. The merit of this proposal is that it provides a framework for the conceptualization of these constructions as part of a broader continuity between perception, memory and consciousness. According to the interpretation and defense of this view offered here, I will argue that modal events in German are constructed as instances of the embodied information encoded by specific constructional attachment patterns. The results of the corpus study in the latter part of the study reveal that syntactic content (rather than lexical information alone) is crucial for the reduction of both surprise and entropy, as it reflects cognitive processes associated with affordance mapping and the speakers’ need to increase epistemic capital. This shows that humans make use of stored perceptual maps, the combination of which allows us to construct and manipulate complex event representations.

Featured Image

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This paper delves into a radical embodied analysis of German modal constructions, offering a novel perspective that intertwines perception, memory, and consciousness. The significance of this approach lies in its framework, which views modal events as manifestations of embodied information encoded through specific constructional attachment patterns. The corpus study conducted in the latter part of the paper underscores a crucial finding: the reduction of surprise and entropy hinges on syntactic content rather than isolated lexical information. This insight unveils cognitive processes linked to affordance mapping and the speaker's quest to enhance epistemic capital. In essence, the research illuminates how humans leverage stored perceptual maps, skillfully combining them to construct and manipulate intricate event representations.

Perspectives