Blending theory

Abstract

This article introduces the blending theory of G Fauconnier and M Turner. This is a blending theory in which the common structures of two mental spaces, known as two Inputs, are combined into a third mental space which is the Generic space. Through the process of selective mapping, this creates a Blended space which is the fourth space. This theory is analyzed and described according to the notion of integrated network. In this article, we give specific examples to illustrate the four different types of integrated network and the constitutive and governing principles underlying this theory. The blending theory can explain many lexical, grammatical, and semantic phenomena, which are often difficult to be described using classic linguistic theories. It can also explain several blending phenomena in other sciences, including mathematical sciences.