Beyond binary opposition: philosophical reflections on a multi-level Language cognitive model from an embodied constructional perspective

Through the analysis of the bio-linguistic approach represented by Chomsky and the social cognitive approach represented by Tomasello, the paper finds neither theory is sufficient to fully explain current linguistic phenomena. This paper explores philosophical questions about the nature of language, especially new thoughts against the backdrop of AI language model development, and then establishes the Embodied Constructional-Cognitive Model (ECCM). The ECCM transcends this binary opposition, constructing three interconnected levels: the Cognitive-Constructional Level (CCL) processes language information based on general cognitive abilities; the Representational Integration Level (RIL) explains how language constructions are formed through embodied experience and integrated into the cognitive system; the Social-Interactive Level (SIL) focuses on the process by which language acquires complete meaning in the social dimension. The model proposes that language is essentially a multi-level cognitive tool formed through bodily experience and ecological construction, functioning to reduce environmental uncertainty and maintain the stability of self-symbols. This integrative theoretical framework has important implications for understanding the uniqueness of human language ability and the limitations of AIGC systems.

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Publication Details

Journal
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Published
2025-09-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05690-2
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Language, Metaphor, and Cognition
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.12
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article

Beyond binary opposition: philosophical reflections on a multi-level Language cognitive model from an embodied constructional perspective

Le Cheng, Jingjing Wu
1 citations
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Language, Metaphor, and Cognition
2.12
article

Beyond binary opposition: philosophical reflections on a multi-level Language cognitive model from an embodied constructional perspective

Le Cheng, Jingjing Wu
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Through the analysis of the bio-linguistic approach represented by Chomsky and the social cognitive approach represented by Tomasello, the paper finds neither theory is sufficient to fully explain current linguistic phenomena. This paper explores philosophical questions about the nature of language, especially new thoughts against the backdrop of AI language model development, and then establishes the Embodied Constructional-Cognitive Model (ECCM). The ECCM transcends this binary opposition, constructing three interconnected levels: the Cognitive-Constructional Level (CCL) processes language information based on general cognitive abilities; the Representational Integration Level (RIL) explains how language constructions are formed through embodied experience and integrated into the cognitive system; the Social-Interactive Level (SIL) focuses on the process by which language acquires complete meaning in the social dimension. The model proposes that language is essentially a multi-level cognitive tool formed through bodily experience and ecological construction, functioning to reduce environmental uncertainty and maintain the stability of self-symbols. This integrative theoretical framework has important implications for understanding the uniqueness of human language ability and the limitations of AIGC systems.

Humanities and Social Sciences CommunicationsVol. 12(1)
Guilin University of Technology (CN), Zhejiang University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Language, Metaphor, and Cognition
2.12
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