ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with the major topics related to categories and categorization. It starts by outlining the development, advantage, and limitations of four categorization theories, i.e., the classical theory, prototype theory, vantage theory, and the theory of idealized cognitive models. Level of categorization is then illustrated to reveal categorization structure and the interaction of different levels. Then the Chinese view of category is introduced. As a process of dynamic changes in categories, decategorization is discussed as well. This chapter finally addresses the application of categorization to fuzzy linguistics, translation study, and language learning and teaching.
