Transformations on image schemas and cross-linguistic polysemy

lexical networks within a specific language. For the basic notions of spatial
orientation the conceptual network would have the hypothetical structure given
below:
INSTRUMENT/
MANNER
MANNER
Fig. 9: The conceptual network of Spatial association.
The nodes of the conceptual network illustrated in Fig. 9 are all specifications of
the schema Spatial association. I regard this schema as a superordinate cognitive
structure, which functions as a means of categorization of perceptual
information into semantic categories, in turn structured by the specific
instantiations of Spatial association. Along with other superordinate schemas –
some of which are still to be investigated – Spatial association is a potential
universal source of lexically manifested spatial relations. The generation of the
more specific spatial relations is carried out by means of specification or
transformation of the schema. Not only the schema but also the transformations
of the schema are universal, in the sense of being language independent and
motivated by human cognitive ability. Thus polysemy based on image schema
transformations is universal and cross-linguistic as regards the schematic,
abstract meaning underlying the rich, lexical meaning.
References
Clark, Herbert H., 1973: Space, Time, Semantics, and the Child. Cognitive
Development and the Acquisition of Language, ed. by T. E. Moore. New
York: Academic Press, 27–63.
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