The cognitive dynamics of terminological variation

Abstract

This paper explores the role of situated and embodied cognition in multidimensionality as a dynamic phenomenon that triggers terminological variation. Terminological variation is crucial as the linguistic gate that gives access to different dimensions of the same concept. We approach the phenomenon of terminological variation from the ways of seeing proposal (Croft and Cruse 2004: 137) and focus on how a situated and dynamic perspective can trigger the activation of concept properties that have a perceptual or functional basis. Additionally, we discuss how this contributes to the shaping of terminological variants from the perspective of process-oriented or frame-based terminology management (Faber et al. 2005, 2006; Tercedor and López 2008). Our findings are illustrated by examples from the EcoLexicon1 knowledge base.