Cognitive Linguistics and Religious Language: An Introduction

This book comprehensively introduces Cognitive Linguistics and applies its tools to religious language. Drawing on authentic samples from a range of faiths, text types, and modes of interactive discourse, the authors accessibly define concepts like embodied cognition, agency, metaphor analysis, and Dynamic Systems Theory; illustrate how they can be used in analyzing religious language; and offer thorough pedagogical material to aid learning and application. Advanced students and scholars of linguistics, discourse analysis, cognitive science, and religious and biblical studies will benefit from this practical guide to understanding and conducting research on religious discourse.

Peter Richardson is Associate Professor of English Language at Hokkaido University, Japan. His research focuses on cognitive linguistics, theology, and religious language. Charles M. Mueller is Professor of English Language and Culture at Fuji Women’s University, Hokkaido, Japan. His research focuses on applied linguistics, cognitive linguistics, metaphor, and religious language. Stephen Pihlaja is Head of the Humanities Research Centre, Coordinator for the language and linguistics curriculum, and Reader in Stylistics and at Newman University, UK. His research focuses on discourse analysis and inter-religious interaction.