Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-2n9c9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-15T11:53:04.474Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

4 - Depictions as Real Space Blends

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2026

Scott K. Liddell
Affiliation:
Gallaudet University, Washington DC
Get access

Summary

This chapter introduces mental space theory and the theory of mental space blending. It then introduces the concept of real space and conceptual blends with real space that result from conceptually blending entities in real space with entities within another mental space. In these blends, physical things represent something other than what they are. Examples include the diagram of a soccer field, where lines on a piece of paper represent the soccer field, and the placement of tableware in which a coffee cup depicts a house. From there, the chapter illustrates depictions created by signers in which the extended thumb and fingers of buoys (handshapes with lexically determined forms and meanings) physically embody the depicted entities. Signers not only refer to these embodied depictions by directing indicating signs toward them; they also gaze at them, touch them, gesture toward them, and even manipulate them. These examples demonstrate that both signers and speakers utilize depictions as a normal part of everyday discourse.

Information

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×