Space, time, and the use of language: An investigation of relationships

The investigation of linguistic expressions of space and time typically presupposes an interdependency between these two related conceptual domains, resulting in a quasi-metaphorical relationship in which time is secondary to space. I have approached this general idea from a range of perspectives, focusing on the question whether the interrelationship has any concrete consequences on the usage of spatial and temporal dimensional terms such as before, after or left, right, in front, above. The conclusion of my investigation is that no interdependency can be traced in the application of these terms, as they differ widely in the contextual environments and patterns in which they occur in natural discourse. Also, temporal terms do not seem to be secondary to spatial terms as far as usage is concerned.