Embodied Meaning in a Neural Theory of Language.

September 12th, 2006 Fred McVittie Posted in Embodiment, Grasp, Language, Metaphor, Neuroscience |

Feldman, J. and S. Narayanan (2004). “Embodied Meaning in a Neural Theory of Language.” Brain and Language(89): 385.

This paper puts forward a theory of cognitive meaning in which terms such as ‘grasp’ are understood through an activation of the same neural circuitry that would be employed in actually carrying out the action of grasping. These are the so-called ‘mirror neurons’ identified by Ramachandran and others. Narayanan and Feldman go on to suggest how these same circuits are used in the understanding of these same terms used metaphorically, as when we ‘grasp’ and idea etc. It is further suggested that this same system is in place with other modes of communication and comprehension, particularly the use of gesture.