Embodiment as symbolic and semantic grounding - directional movement, meaning and language

Abstract: Classical cognitive science approaches understand language as based on amodal representations. In contrast, the findings of neuroscience and embodiment suggest that thought and language involve sensorimotor simulations. Recent phenomenological and creative arts-based research derived from embodied-enactive approaches supports the proposition that language and thought derive from embodiment. By synthesizing cognitive sciences research findings from an embodiment perspective, this article addresses how meaning is ascribed to symbols in general, and to words in particular (the so-called 'symbol grounding' problem). The article then engages with corporeal and semantic dimensions, drawing on spatial bias research, addressing empirical findings on directional movements and their meaning, and argues that embodiment is fundamental to the construction of abstract concepts and language (consistent with semantic differential research ). Methodological challenges, arising from the dynamic n...

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Embodiment as symbolic and semantic grounding - directional movement, meaning and language ; volume:4 ; day:27 ; month:10 ; year:2022 ; GMS journal of arts therapies ; 4 (27.10.2022)

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Medizin, Gesundheit

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Koch, Sabine C.

Further information

• DOI: 10.3205/jat000023
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0183-jat0000233
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:36 AM CEST