Blurb:

Chapter 7 explores the role of categorization in the semantic description of


single linguistic items. The aim is to find out what the significant elements of


a single linguistic item are. The chapter is organized as follows. Section 7.1


delineates the phenomenon of categorization and underlines its significance.


Categorization refers to the mental act of grouping together the multiple


senses of a linguistic item, be it lexical or grammatical, into a category. A


category then is a network of distinct but related senses of a given linguistic


item. Section 7.2 discusses the two theories of categorization: classical and


prototype. In the classical theory, categorization is carried out in terms of


defining features. In the prototype theory, which is advocated in Cognitive


Semantics, categorization is carried out in terms of degrees of similarity to a


prominent example. In the discussion, I pursue three steps. First, I underline


the essence of each theory. Second, I disclose its theses and implications.


Third, I provide examples to confirm its application. Section 7.3 makes a


summary of the main points of the chapter.