Linguistic and non-linguistic spatial categorization

Three experiments examine the relation between linguistic and non-linguisti c categorization of spatial relations. We compare linguistic and non-lingui stic responses to the same spatial stimuli. Contrary to earlier claims in t he literature (Hayward, W. G. & Tarr, M. J. (1995). Spatial language and sp atial representation. Cognition, 55, 39-84), we fmd that linguistic and non -linguistic spatial categories do not correspond. Rather, they appear to ha ve an inverse relation such that the prototypes of linguistic categories, s uch as 'above', are boundaries in non-linguistic spatial categorization. Ev idence for this inverse relation comes from linguistic acceptability judgme nts and the pattern of bias in participants' reproductions of location. Our findings suggest that while linguistic and non-linguistic spatial organiza tion rely on a common underlying structure, that structure may play differe nt roles in the two organizational systems. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.