Acknowledgments This book has a long history and many people have helped in its evolution over the years. First of all, I wish to thank my former teacher and mentor, Prof. Aleksander Szwedek, for introducing me to the realm of Cognitive Semantics twenty-five years ago as well as for his sobering comments on the first draft of the manuscript. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Prof. Barbara Lewandowska-Tomaszczyk for her prompt and insightful review, which helped in improving the book. I deeply appreciate the continued support of Prof. Piotr P. Chruszczewski, the chief editor of this series, and his encouraging words during moments of self-doubt. I am indebted to Dr. Shala Barczewska for her amazing work as a proof-reader and for our never-ending and inspiring talks concerning Darwin, evolution, faith, and life during conference evenings and our own private meetings. Special thanks go to the team at Æ Academic Publishing for their professional help, true care for the quality of the book, and dedication to put the book together in time. Among my colleagues in the Department of English at Warmia and Mazury University, I would like to thank the Head of the Department, Prof. Ewa Kujawska-Lis, for her friendly and professional support, and also fellow linguists: Dr. Monika Cichmińska, Dr. Aleksandra Górska, Dr. Iwona Góralczyk, Dr. Robert Lee, and Dr. Joanna Łozińska, who assumed some of my teaching duties to allow me time to complete the project. Finally, last but not least, I want to thank my family: my husband and daughter for their support and patience and my Mother for her motivating lack of patience with my prolonged writing. I dedicate this book to my Mother, who taught me, by her own example, to never ever give up. The publishing of this book is supported financially by the Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities and Vice-Rector of the University.
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