Author:

Keywords:

Modality, Futurity, Vector models, Cognitive linguistics

Abstract:

Modal updating of futurity in vector models for discourse Context – Nanotechnological innovation is a key element in the EU 7th Framework Programme. It goes together with a social concern about how the European audience has to be convinced of the its benign impact and assets. Our research is to be situated at the social and cognitive crossroads of a language for specific purposes (LSP) and its translation into general purpose idioms (LGP). In this process, the viewpoints of scientific-industrial actors and the layman merge. Furthermore, adaptation in smaller languages (like Italian) follow big EU actors like the UK and Germany. Four objectives – (1) The dynamic updating in different heterogeneous conceptualizations of nanotech is analyzed as an imminent and potential future in German and Italian. We previously proposed an analytic framework for the temporal positioning of Italian futurity. (2) In the present paper we show how shifts between positions in this futurity model occur not exclusively only along temporal, but also through spatial and modal discourse vectors. (3) These vectors are set up by heterogeneous enunciative stances. (4) Consequently, we describe different constructional patterns structurally German and Italian exploit to realize positions, shifts and stances mentioned before. Three theoretical cognitive frameworks - (1) Cognitive grammar (CG) is a key reference in two respects. On the one hand, CG provides the general conceptual template for futurity as part of an elaborated epistemic model (Langacker 1991: 244). Langacker’s time-line model of represented time overlaps with a second, discursive time-line: the current discourse space (CDS, Langacker 2001) of a conceptualizer which is representing time as discourse unfolds. (2) The discursive vector model is based on Chilton (2005a). (3) We take further Verhagen’s (2005) idea: linguistic structures do not only profile the object of conceptualization but also potential (inter)subjective viewpoints of conceptualizing agents. Methodology and corpus – Our corpus-based approach (Gries & Stefanowitsch 2006) combines cognitive approaches with authentic language data in a complex institutional setting where specialists communicate with the general audience. The concrete case is a popularizing publication ordered by Cordis (European Commission) and developed by the German Science and Training department (BMBF), with an Italian translation by Veneto Nanotech. This case shows the complex nexus between conceptualization on the one hand and political, social/societal and technical-industrial aspects of nanotechnology on the other. Descriptive results and critical impact – Our analysis will provide a cognitive template and contrastive evidence for futurity, both on the level of nominal and (de)verbal predication in Italian and German. This typological approach will show the dynamics of meaning construction in which the potential and future aspects of a concept become an intrinsic part of the actual definition of what nanotech already is. This cognitive work then within the societal issue contributes to a better critical understanding (Chilton 2005b) of how the specific communication and public debate on nanotechnology as a possible world (Martins 2005) is brought to the actual language use of different linguistic EU communities of citizens and consumers (EU COM 2004). Bibliography Chilton, P. 2005. Vectors, Viewpoint and viewpoint shift. Annual Review of Cognitive Linguistics, Volume 3. 78–116. Chilton, P. 2005b. Missing links in mainstream CDA: Modules, blends and the critical instinct. In: A New Agenda in (Critical) Discourse Analysis. Theory, methodology and interdisciplinarity. Ed. by R. Wodak & P. Chilton, Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. 19-51 EU COM. 2004. Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology. Brussels: Communication from the commission. 1 November 2007. ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/nanotechnology/docs/communication_presentation.pdf 2 September 2007. EU COM. 2006. FP7. Tomorrow’s answers start today. Gries, S. and A.Stefanowitsch (eds.). 2006. Corpora in Cognitive Linguistics: The Syntax-Lexis Interface. Berlin / New York : Mouton de Gruyter. ISO. 2000. ISO 704. Terminology work - Principles and methods. Travail terminologique - Principes et méthodes. Genève: ISO. Langacker, R. W. 1991. Foundations of cognitive grammar. Volume 2: Descriptive applications. Stanford: Stanford University Press. Martins, P R. 2005. The Necessart Social Confrontation in the Use of New Technologies; The New Possible World and Nanotechnology. Porto Alegre: 5th World Social Forum. ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/nanotechnology/docs/wsf_2005_martins.pdf , 12 May 2006. Schulenburg, M. 2004. La nanotecnologia. Innovazione per il mondo di domani. Lussemburgo: Ufficio delle pubblicazioni ufficiali delle Comunità Europee. Commissione Europea (EUR 21151IT) Schulenburg, M. 20063. Nanotechnologie. Innovationen für die Welt von Morgen. Bonn/Berlin: BMBF. http://www.bmbf.de/pub/nanotechnologie_inno_fuer_die_welt_v_morgen.pdf , 15 November 2007. Verhagen, A. 2005. Constructions of intersubjectivity. Discourse, syntax, and cognition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.