A Cognitive Analysis of Motion Verbs of Celestial Bodies in the Holy Qurʾān based on Talmy's Theory

Cognitive sciences deal with research about the mind. Scholars of cognitive sciences consider explaining cognitive functions and hidden processes of the mind possible only through indirect methods such as the study of language. Therefore, cognitive linguistics has a privileged place in cognitive sciences. Motion verbs are one of the most focal fields of study in the meaning-based approach of cognitive semantics. Movement, embodied by means of verb as an active proposition in a sentence, is an important and effective element in conceptualization. The present descriptive-analytical research article studied participial and motion verbs used to refer to celestial bodies in the Holy Qurʾān and drawing on the principles of cognitive semantics examined the way events were conceptualized in the ayahs. In the Holy Qurʾān motion verbs of celestial bodies have been used in order to conceptualize abstract concepts such as the movement of celestial bodies, the way of movements, their occurrences, etc. and as a result different types of semantic concepts of the movement of celestial bodies have been represented in the Qurʾānic ayahs. Half of the verbs used for these objects are motional and the other half are participial. Participial verbs delicately describe the circular path of objects, how they move through the galaxy and where they start and return to their place. Motion verbs also indicate the movement and transition of these objects, which, except when it emphasizes the events of the Resurrection, is still an emphasis on the circular movement and rotation of the heavenly bodies.