ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the Cognitive Grammar model of word classes. It examines Langacker's schematic characterisation of the open classes noun, verb, adjective and adverb, as well as the closed classes adposition and determiner. The chapter concentrates on describing word classes and on exploring Langacker's semantic account of these linguistic categories. Unlike the nominal and temporal categories, each of which characterises a single word class, the atemporal relation subsumes a range of word classes. Atemporal relations can be schematically characterised in terms of states and account for a number of word classes including adjectives, adverbs, adpositions and non-finite verb forms. The chapter drives by setting Langacker's approach to word classes in a broader context in terms of categorisation. According to Langacker, there is always an asymmetry between the interconnected entities, and this asymmetry relates to prominence, which in turn relates to the Trajector-landmark organisation.
