On Prototype Theory And Its Significance

Prototype theory is now widely applied in the field of cognitive linguistics. Based on the discussion of classical category theory and modern (prototypical) category theory, this thesis draws the conclusion that prototype theory can account for many phenomena in nature as well as in language which the classical view has failed to explain. It also displays the great impact exerted on every level of linguistics by this new-born view. This thesis, on one hand, discusses the application of prototype theory to the study of semantics, pointing out that some ideas of word meanings are worthy of lexicographers' consultation. On the other hand, this thesis uses some examples in morphology, syntax and phonology to explore the application of prototype theory to the study of linguistic structure. After comparing the ways of categorizing the world and those of categorizing language, this thesis indicates that there are similarities between the structures of conceptual categories and linguistic formal categories, and thus proposes that we need to approach the categories of linguistic description in the same manner as we approach real-world entities.