Cognitive Exploration of ‘Traveling’ in the Poetry of Widad Benmoussa

Abstract

The concept of motion is central to the human cognition and it is universally studied in cognitive linguistics. This research paper investigates concept of motion, with special reference to traveling, in the poetry of Widad Benmoussa. It mainly focuses on the cognitive dimensions underlying the metaphorical representation of traveling. To this end, the research conducts a semi-automated analysis of a corpus representing Widad’s poetic collections. MetaNet’s physical path is mainly used to reveal the cognitive respects of traveling. The personae the poetess assigns are found to pursue a dynamic goal through activation of several physical paths. During the unstable romantic relations, several travel impediments are met. Travel stops and detours, travel companions, paths in journey as well as changing travel destinations are the most stressed elements of ‘Traveling’ respects. With such a described high frequency of sudden departures and hopping, the male persona the poetess assigns evinces typical features of 'wanderlust' or dromomania.

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Sources

• Benmoussa, W. (2001). I have Roots in Air (in Arabic). Morocco: Ministry of Culture.
• Benmoussa, W. (2006). Between Two Clouds (in Arabic and French). Morocco: Marsam Publishing House.
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