Learning Czech Prepositions through Pictures:Cognitive Schemas and Language Learning
Dominik Lukeš, 2004 http://www.bohemica.com
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Presentation outline
Theory 5 min
Czech Prepositions in Pictures 15 min
The case of na 15 min
Learners’ lab 15 min
Tips for learners / Q&A 10 min
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Theory
Native speakers create image schemas that describe the core spatial meaning of prepositions. Each situation is then reduced to a schema.
The schemas consist of so called landmarks (stationary elements) and trajectors (moving elements).
When prepositions are used to describe non-spatial situations, the landmark and trajectors become metaphorically linked to elements in the situation.
Learners need to acquire both a stock of set uses and an ability to apply the right schema to the right situation. This requires both drilling and active image creation.
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Prepositions of Space
z(e) Koho? Čeho? from (within)
na Koho? Co? in the direction on
od(e) Koho? Čeho? from (without)
k(e) Komu? Čemu? to, toward
do Koho? Čeho? to, into
u Koho? Čeho? at,near, by
v / na Kom? Čem? in / on
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Prepositions of Space (cont.)
English one-dimensional: where
Czech three-dimensional: where, where to, where from
Kde? Kam? Odkud? / Odkdy?
v(e) / na Kom? Čem?
do Koho? Čeho
na Koho? Co?
z(e) Koho? Čeho?
u / vedle Koho? Čeho
k(e) Komu? Čemu?
od(e) Koho? Čeho?
Locational
Directional
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
How it works
Gifts from Jdu od Petra Vím to od Petra. Tu knihu mám od Petra.
Going to visit Jdu k Petrovi na návštěvu. Budu u Petra.
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
How it does NOT work
Gifts from Jdu z Petra Vím to z Petra. Tu knihu mám z Petra.
Going to visit Jdu do Petra na návštěvu. Budu na Petrovi.
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Core meaning
Meaning extensions
Fun with na
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Spatial uses of NA
1. On: things, surfaces (vertical/horizontal), islands viewed as islands, peninsulas, places high up, selected other countries (Havaj, Nový Zéland, Florida, Island)
2. In: institutions as official places (opera, pošta, univerzita, výstava, diskotéka)
3. In the direction of: táhnul na Prahu
V Kom? Čem?
NA Kom? Čem?
škole
hospodě
kavárně náměstí koleji
diskotéce
Moravě Havaji Německu Brně
Praze
koncertě hradě
Slovensku Tahity ostrově
být
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Extended uses of NA
1. Metaphorical space Direction of attention: myslet na, těšit se na, smát se na Purpose: boty na fotbal Instruments: na kytaru, dveře na zámek, jezdit na benzín Cause: umřít na rakovinu, udělat na přání, na objednávku Measure: prodávat na kilo, na metr Something about to happen: je to na spadnutí Wishes/toasts: na shledanou, na zdraví, na brzký návrat Blame/responsibility: je to na Petrovi, hodil to na něho
2. Time For a period of time: jsem tady na rok, na hodinu For events: na vánoce, na prázdniny, na dovolenou, na
olympiádu, na závody, přijít na třetí Set uses with time: na jaře, na podzim
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Non-prepositional uses of NA
1. Part of adverbs nalevo, napravo, nahoře, nastálo, natrvalo, nadarmo, nadále, napilno, načisto,
najednou
2. Prefix of verbs upon: najít, nalít, namáhat se, nasypat, nadávat,
napadnout, nasmlouvat up (start): nalomit, nastartovat, nakousnout, napít se fill up (ingest): najíst se, napít se, naobědvat se, naplnit (se) to contentment: nachodit se, nazpívat se, nasmát se
3. Prefix of adjectives and nouns (NÁ) nápad, námitka, názor, nábytek, náhoda nábřeží, nároží, náboženství nápadný, náhlý nabídka, nadání, nakladatel
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Learners’ lab
Think of the sentence in your own language a draw a schema. The book is on the table. Peter lives in the square. We went to Moravia. John is in Hawaii. Karel is at the post office. I’m here for a week. I have these shoes for playing soccer. I’m looking for somebody for babysitting.
If you can, translate the sentences, and / or draw an appropriate schema.
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Learners’ lab (cont.)
Compare these sentences with your images: Kniha je na stole. Petr bydlí na náměstí. Jeli jsme na Moravu. John je na Havaji. Karel je na poště. Jsem tady na týden. Tyhle boty mám na fotbal. Hledám někoho na hlídání dětí.
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Czech Prepositions Through Pictures
Learning tips
Learn the core spatial meaning of each preposition
Learn as many different uses of each preposition
Create an image for each use based on the core meaning
For abstract meanings link elements on both sides of the preposition to the original meaning