Cognitive linguistics is a branch of linguistics that explores the relationship between language and the human mind. It focuses on how people understand and produce language, emphasizing that language is not just a set of rules but is deeply connected to our thoughts, experiences, and perceptions of the world. This field examines concepts such as metaphor, image schemas, and conceptual blending to show how language reflects our cognitive processes. Researchers in cognitive linguistics study how language influences thought and how our understanding of the world shapes the way we communicate.