What is an image schema?

Definition
	An image schema is a mental pattern that
	recurrently provides structured understanding of various experiences, and is available for use in metaphor as a source domain to provide an understanding of yet other experiences.

Examples (English)

A compulsion schema is used to provide an understanding of experiences, such as

Source:

Johnson 1987 2

Kinds
	Here are some kinds of image schemas:
	What is a center-periphery schema? What is a containment schema? What is a cycle schema? What is an end-of-path schema? What is a force schema? What is a link schema? What is a part-whole schema? What is a path schema? What is a scale schema? What is a verticality schema?

Source
	Johnson 1987 2–4

Concept module: image schema
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): I
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