Introductory remarks

Lakoff's analysis of over has inspired several responses which aim at a better formulation of the model and / or of the assumptions underlying modelling of this type (in one variant or another). The first one is more Lakoffian in spirit that the original, i.e. it is based entirely on image schemas. The second one shows that an image schema linked to a word may get different interpretations within a phrase, thus it raises the issue of the influence of other words on the meaning expressed by a lexeme. The third one re-introduces into the discussion the distinction between semantics (senses of words in isolation) and pragmatics (rich construals in the context), which was questioned by Langacker. The analysis contains both Lakoffianand Langackerian elements and provides the most complete representation of the lexeme. It instantiates a more general “principled approach” to prepositional polysemy. The fourth analysis is of an entirely different kind: it shows that the assumption common to all previous attempts – i.e. that extensions are motivated by general cognitive factors – may be inadequate, thus a new approach to meaning extension could be required.

Let me add that I recount below only a few episodes of the story, which is substantially richer and still developing. My presentations are significantly reduced (there is more internal dialogue between participants and the level of detail – and wealth of insight – defies summary).