What is a path schema?

Definition
	A path schema is an image schema that
	involves physical or metaphorical movement from place to place, and consists of a starting point, a goal, and a series of intermediate points.

Examples (English)

Physical

Paths
Trajectories

Metaphorical

The purpose-as-physical-goal metaphor, as expressed in the following sentences:
- Tom has gone a long way toward changing his personality.
- You have reached the midpoint of your flight training.
- She's just starting out to make her fortune.
- Jane was sidetracked in her search for self-understanding.

Source:

Johnson 1987 115

Generic
	A path schema is a kind of
	What is an image schema?

Source
	Johnson 1987 113–117

Context for this page:

Concept module: path schema
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): P
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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