Semantics

192 BASIC SEMANTICS
linguistic forms and concepts. Concepts are linked together in a complex
multi-dimensional network as follows. The links are of specific types
(e.g. is a kind of, is a part of , is used for, lives in, etc.) and are of variable
strength.
horse
animal
hoof
riding
neigh
cow
stable
These links correspond to concepts of a more schematic nature than
the concepts which they serve to connect, which are typically richer and
more complex. Linguistic forms map onto conceptual structures of
comparable complexity, although Cruse confines his attention to individual
words only and states that the word horse, for example, has a direct link
to the concept [HORSE] only and not to the concept [ANIMAL].
9.2.3. The nature of concepts
Concepts are used to categorize experience and they give access to
knowledge concerning entities which fall into categories. As we learned
in lesson 2, there are two main ways in which conceptual categories can
be described. One is the classical approach to categorization and the other
is the standard prototype approach.
Categorization represents for both classical and prototypical approaches
what Lakoff 1987 defined as the main way we make sense of experience.
This mental operation consists of grouping different things and it is
essential in all mental activities. Most concepts belong to categories rather
than to individualities.