The language of space and time

Call for Papers

Natural language expressions for spatial and temporal phenomena have long been recognized as being closely interconnected. Often, similar terms are used in both domains, and/or they have a similar history in the development of language. Also, there are a number of consistent metaphors indicating a close conceptual relationship between spatial and temporal relations. In this panel, we wish to bring together researchers concerned with the relationship between spatial and temporal language, addressing the issue from a range of different viewpoints, including at least the following:

• Language use: How is the conceptual relationship between spatial and temporal domains reflected in the application of spatial and temporal terms?
• Semantics: In how far can parallels between the domains be detected in the semantics of spatial and temporal terms? How can differences be explained?
• Syntax: Do the terms behave similarly or differently in diverse syntactic contexts?
• Metaphors: Does the application of spatial terms in temporal contexts reveal consistent patterns in the conceptualization of the two domains?
• Cross-linguistic research: How are the two domains treated linguistically in other languages?
• Historical perspective: How did spatial and temporal terms develop over time?
• Child language acquisition: How do children learn to apply the terms for the two domains?
• Formalizations: How do formal linguistic treatments of spatiotemporal expressions deal with the similarities and differences involved in space and time?

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