ABSTRACT
Image schemas form the basic building blocks of abstract conceptual representations. They combine different sensory modalities and contribute rich inferential structures that underpin a diverse range of linguistic phenomena. They are discussed in various disciplines like philosophy, psychology, cognitive science, and cultural studies, and play a central role in key cognitive linguistic theories like cognitive grammar, force dynamics, and conceptual metaphor. Contemporary areas of application include language acquisition, literary and discourse analysis, design, and psychological counseling. This chapter aims at a comprehensive overview of image schemas with emphasis on the aforementioned aspects.
