Functional Contrasts in Spatial Meaning Ignasi Navarro i Ferrando Universitat Jaume I ignasi.navarro@ang.uji.es Abstract: It is accepted that prepositions primarily refer to the domain of physical space in terms of objects and their locations (topological relations). Everyday language, however, reveals that not only topological relations, but also dynamic and functional relations between entities are expressed by these lexical units. We discuss the functional patterns expressed by the English prepositions at, on, and in. Contrasts are looked for in colloquial expressions, such as at a job, on a job and in a job. We argue that each of these prepositions expresses a particular functional relation, which becomes relevant for distinguishing meaning in those contexts where topology or dynamic patterns are not focussed on. In the case of at, a functional relation of operation is posited, so that the trajector is conceptualized in a position that allows for operation in relation to the landmark. As for the relation expressed by on, the trajector has control over the situation and uses the landmark as support in order to keep that control. Finally, in indicates that the trajector is controlled by the landmark, and this may occur in two ways: either the landmark protects the trajector from external agents or prevents it from free movement. We conclude that prepositional polysemy incorporates these functional patterns. Our hypothesis raises the question whether these functional relations have extended metaphorically from topological configurations or whether they have appeared independently from embodied human interactive patterns associated to particular topologies. Is the origin of functional patterns to be found in topological and dynamic relations, or have they emerged independently? Alternatively, have these three modes developed simultaneously in both ontogenetic and diachronic development? 1. INTRODUCTION Native speakers of any language are puzzled when asked for reasons or causes of idiomatic usage in their language, and the use of English prepositions is a clear example of this. Speakers of English “sleep in beds”, “travel on trains”, and “socialize at parties”; yet they also lie on beds as they sleep, are in trains as they travel, and enjoy themselves in parties as they are at them. However, the conventions of the language tend not to favour the latter forms of expression. Why? There may not be a straightforward answer yet. In recent years, however, a great deal of evidence has been brought to light from the field of Cognitive Linguistics showing that the traditional – and widely held – view of spatial