A cognitive analysis of three English fragmentation verbs. Análisis cognitivo de tres verbos ingleses de fragmentación

Resumen

This paper provides a detailed analysis of three closely related fragmentation verbs in English (dissipate, disintegrate, and dissolve) from the perspective of Cognitive semantics. Special emphasis is placed on the conceptual modelling structures, above all metaphoric and metonymic mappings, which underlie the polysemy of these verbs. The three verbs under study share a common image-schematic basis, linked to the physical notion o fragmentation, and a basic pattern of metaphorical extension. However, it is argued that the different lower-level scenarios typically associated with each verb seem to motivate the existence of partly divergent metaphoric and metonymic mutes. Finally, the results of the analysis are explored theoretically and connected with current research on the partial nature of metaphoric mappings as well as on the metaphor-based conceptualization of existence at a generic level.