C-CS

figure-ground
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Working Definition:

the figure within a scene is a substructure perceived as "standing out" from the remainder (ground) and accorded special prominaence as the pivotal entity around whcih the scene is organized and for which it provides a setting. [3.3.2.1] Langacker, Foundations of Cognitive Grammar

Disciplinary Definitions:

"figure/ground organization is a valid and fundamental feature of cognitive functioning. By the assumptions of cognitive grammar, the prevalence of figure/ground organization in conceptual structure entails it simportance for semantic and grammatical structure as well. Indeed I will make extensive use of this notion. The profile/base, subject/object, and head/modifier distinctions are among those to be analyzed wholly or patrially in these terms.
Impressionistically, the figure within a scene is a substructure perceived as "standing out" from the remainder (ground) and accorded special prominaence as the pivotal entity around whcih the scene is organized and for which it provides a setting. [3.3.2.1] Langacker, Foundations of Cognitive Grammar

focal adjustment Variation in how a situation is conceived, particularly variation pertaining to selection, perspective, and abstraction. [3.3] Langacker, Foundations of Cognitive Grammar

perspective The way in which a scene is viewed. Aspects of perspective include figure/ground alignment, vantage point, and subjectivity. [3.3.2] Langacker, Foundations of Cognitive Grammar

NOTE: ground: The speech event, its participants, and its setting. (Distinct from the sense of ground that contrasts with figure.) [3.3.2.3] (Cf. epistemic grounding: An entity is epistemically grounded when its location is specified relative to the speaker and hearer and their spheres of knowledge. For verbs, tense and mood ground an entity epistemically; for nouns, definite/indefinite specifications establish epistemic grounding. Epistemic grounding distinguishes finite verbs and clauses from nonfinite ones, and nominals (noun phrases) from simple nouns. [3.3.2.3] Langacker, Foundations of Cognitive Grammar

See Ungerer and Schmid, "Figure and Ground," chapter four of An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics.

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