TY - JOUR
T1 - As time goes by
T2 - Evidence for two systems in processing space → time metaphors
AU - Gentner, Dedre
AU - Imai, Mutsumi
AU - Boroditsky, Lera
N1 - Funding Information:
Requests for reprints should be addsrdstoeeDedre Gentner, Deparetntmof Pholosgyy, c NostnrUetnhrsivw,i2t2e9y0Sehridaen Roadr, Eavnn, ILs60t8o.20 This work was supported by NSF grtaSnB5717R, 5N1SF-LI-S9gatrSnB157R1, and7by-95 ONR gntrNa010094-2J-9 8-to 1the Ž0rst author. This chapter was partially prrdeewhilpe the a Žrst author was a flloew at the Center for Ancedd Studvy inathe Bieraol Sciencesha. Wevare gartlfoerthefŽnanciau lsuppotprovidr edbytheWilliamT.GrantFoundatoi,anrwdNo.a 917565.7We9thank PhillpiWolff for the rsenspe timoe praso,mKtgleehanrBan forur help in data analys, iMselle iOcohssonnmfdrohlp ein manipt uprpasericano,ratndMathetw McGloneandPhilplWolfi fforinsighflutcommensontearrdrlfsiatofethispaper.
PY - 2002/10
Y1 - 2002/10
N2 - Temporal language is often couched in spatial metaphors. English has been claimed to have two space→time metaphoric systems: the ego-moving metaphor, wherein the observer's context progresses along the time-line towards the future, and the time-moving metaphor, wherein time is conceived of as a river or conveyor belt on which events are moving from the future to the past. In three experiments, we investigated the psychological status of these metaphors by asking subjects to carry out temporal inferences stated in terms of spatial metaphors. In Experiment 1, we found that subjects were slowed in their processing when the assertions shifted from one spatial metaphoric system to the other. In Experiment 2, we determined that this cost of shifting could not be attributed to local lexical factors. In Experiment 3, we again found this metaphor consistency effect in a naturalistic version of the study in which we asked commonsense time questions of passengers at an airport. The results of the three studies provide converging evidence that people use spatial metaphors in temporal reasoning. Implications for the status of metaphoric systems are discussed.
AB - Temporal language is often couched in spatial metaphors. English has been claimed to have two space→time metaphoric systems: the ego-moving metaphor, wherein the observer's context progresses along the time-line towards the future, and the time-moving metaphor, wherein time is conceived of as a river or conveyor belt on which events are moving from the future to the past. In three experiments, we investigated the psychological status of these metaphors by asking subjects to carry out temporal inferences stated in terms of spatial metaphors. In Experiment 1, we found that subjects were slowed in their processing when the assertions shifted from one spatial metaphoric system to the other. In Experiment 2, we determined that this cost of shifting could not be attributed to local lexical factors. In Experiment 3, we again found this metaphor consistency effect in a naturalistic version of the study in which we asked commonsense time questions of passengers at an airport. The results of the three studies provide converging evidence that people use spatial metaphors in temporal reasoning. Implications for the status of metaphoric systems are discussed.
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U2 - 10.1080/01690960143000317
DO - 10.1080/01690960143000317
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0036773333
SN - 0169-0965
VL - 17
SP - 537
EP - 565
JO - Language and Cognitive Processes
JF - Language and Cognitive Processes
IS - 5
ER -