INTEGRATING COGNITIVE PRAGMATICS AND NEUROLINGUISTICS: A MODEL OF MEANING CONSTRUCTION IN THE BRAIN
Abstract
This review article explores the intersection of cognitive pragmatics and neurolinguistics by presenting a neurosemiotic model of meaning construction in the human brain. Drawing on a wide range of literature in neurolinguistics, cognitive science, and pragmatic theory, the paper examines how meaning is generated, contextualized, and interpreted through the dynamic interplay between neural systems and communicative intention. The article synthesizes findings from EEG and fMRI studies to identify the neurophysiological correlates of pragmatic inference, Theory of Mind (ToM), and cognitive context formation. Special attention is given to the hemispheric distribution of pragmatic functions, the role of predictive processing in implicature, and the neural pathways supporting discourse coherence and social cognition. The review further compares cross-linguistic perspectives, highlighting the relevance of this integrative model for bilingual communication and cultural variation. By mapping the neurocognitive processes underlying meaning construction, this article aims to contribute a comprehensive framework for future empirical and theoretical investigations at the crossroads of language, mind, and brain.
Keywords
neurolinguistics; cognitive pragmatics; meaning construction; EEG; fMRI; implicature; theory of mind; social cognition; discourse coherence; neurosemiotics.
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