On defining image schemas

Abstract

In this theoretical paper we propose three diff erent kinds of cognitive structure that have not been diff erentiated in the psychological and cognitive linguistic literatures. They are spatial primitives , image schemas , and schematic integrations . Spatial primitives are the fi rst conceptual building blocks formed in infancy, image schemas are simple spatial stories built from them, and schematic integrations use the fi rst two types to build concepts that include non-spatial elements, such as force and emotion. These diff erent kinds of structure have all come under the umbrella term of ‘image schemas’. However, they diff er in their content, developmental origin, imageability, and role in meaning construction in language and in thought. The present paper indicates how preverbal conceptualization needs to be taken into account for a complete understanding of image schemas and their uses. It provides examples to illustrate this infl uence, the most important of these being the primacy of imageable spatial information.