Introduction

This introductory chapter starts with a few examples that illustrate the imagery that accompanies the use of language. That imagery is referred to here as linguistic worldview, a notion that is notoriously difficult to define, despite numerous attempts to do so. Some of these definitions are provided, coming from authors like James Underhill, Jerzy Bartmiński, and Stuart Chase, reporting on the work of Benjamin Lee Whorf. Next, the inalienable cultural aspect of linguistic worldview is brought to attention, as well as the rich body of insight that has been offered by cognitive linguistics. Finally, the contents of the volume are briefly previewed.