Department of Ancient Studies

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Browsing Department of Ancient Studies by browse.metadata.advisor "Bosman, Philip"

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    A cognitive linguistics model for new testament discourse analysis and its application to selected Lukan Parables
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Fields, Eric G.; Bosman, Philip; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In NT Studies, it is obvious that Discourse Analysis has been presented in a variety of different ways. This dissertation first addresses the challenges that are associated with understanding this vast, diverse, and even disparate enterprise. Next, it proposes a possible way forward based on Cognitive Linguistics principles, while also incorporating the gains from the Functional approaches. Finally, the proposed Cognitive Model is applied to the parables of Luke 15–16 as a “test case." Eight different approaches of Discourse Analysis that have been used in NT Studies are first conceptualized and critically reviewed. The components, models, and notions of the approaches are described and analyzed, and then, by introducing a common framework for the study, their strengths and weaknesses are presented, and they are compared and contrasted with the other approaches. In this way, a comprehensive understanding of the Discourse Analysis enterprise is obtained. On the one hand, this study shows that each of the approaches have contributed something unique and valuable to our overall understanding of discourse, while on the other, it also shows that none of the approaches are able to capture a comprehensive understanding of discourse that is desired. Specifically, each of the approaches originates from one of the linguistic “movements,” which in turn, serves to limit its application to a certain area or portion of the linguistic landscape. Although the more recent Functional Linguistics approaches achieve a much needed, highly nuanced perspective of discourse, they also lack the comprehensive understanding that is desired. A possible way forward is given through the lens of Cognitive Linguistics. That is, a Cognitive Model for Discourse Analysis is presented, where the principles of Cognitive Grammar and human language processing are used to create a robust framework that allows for a broad conceptualization of discourse. The Cognitive Model is then applied to Luke 15–16, where the framework and cognitive principles are put to use. This study shows that a consistent application of the model allows for the analysis of discourse on many different levels. The results of this study demonstrate the value of having a full or comprehensive perspective of the Discourse Analysis enterprise itself, as well as having a comprehensive conceptualization of the parables, which occur within an environment of many contextual layers.