ABSTRACT
This chapter explores two of the central principles of cognitive semantics. These are: the thesis that conceptual structure derives from embodiment, also known as the embodied cognition thesis; and the thesis that semantic structure reflects conceptual structure. The chapter address the thesis of embodied cognition by presenting the theory of image schemas developed by Johnson, among others. Image schemas are schematic and therefore more abstract in nature, emerging from ongoing embodied experience. Because image schemas arise from embodied experience, which is ongoing, they can undergo transformations from one image schema into another. The chapter explores the thesis that semantic structure encodes and externalises conceptual structure. Semantic structure represents the conventional means of encoding conceptual structure for expression in language. According to Talmy the conceptual structuring system is based upon a limited number of large-scale schematic systems. In sum, both the open-class and closed-class semantic systems reflect and encode fundamental aspects of embodied experience, mediated by conceptual structure.
