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When we look at an object in our environment, we single it out as a perceptually prominent figure standing out from the ground. The same principle of prominence is valid in the structure of language. For example, in locative relations like in The book is on the table the book is conceptualized as the figure.
(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:156)
Figure/ground segregation
Figure/ground segregation
First introduced into psychology by the Danish psychologist Rubin. Our inability to see both the vase and the faces. What is perceived will depend on the observer.
(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)
Ground
Figure/ground segregation
The balloon is regarded as figure and the house as ground. The balloon seems to be more prominent than the house
(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:158159)
i.e. Simple and basic cognitive structures which are derived from our everyday interaction with the world. (Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:160)
Image schema
Should be understood as a mental picture which is more elementary than both concrete categories and abstract principles.
Image schema
Elaborations
Such variants which only specify certain components of a schema, but do not diverge from its general configuration.
Elaborations
Clause patterns
TRADITIONAL GRAMMAR
SUBJECT
Examples
1)
2)
3) 4) 5) 6)
7)
8)
Susan resembles my sister. Susan is peeling a banana. Susan loves bananas. The hammer breaks the glass. Susan has a large library. Susan received the present. The garden is swarming with bees. There was a loud bang.
(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:171-
In a simple transitive clause, the subject corresponds to the figure, the object to the ground, and the verb expresses the relationship between figure and ground.
Example from ex. 1)
a) Susan resembles my sister. b) My sister resembles Susan.
Syntactic figure
Role archetypes
Agent we are capable of initiating motion or physical activity in objects or other persons.
Patient
Modern linguistics will suggest the analysis of sentence elements in terms of cases (or actants, participants, semantic roles, (Ungerer and Schmid, 1996) theta-roles).
Role archetypes
Under certain conditions all role archetypes can occur in subject position:
Susan peels a banana. Subject= agent Susan loves bananas. Subject= experiencer The hammer broke the glass. Subject= instrument The glass broke. Subject= patient (Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)
Interactions between the objects and organisms are by way of physical contact.
Action chains
SUSAN IS PEELING A BANANA
AGENT
PATIENT
HEAD
TAIL
SYNTACTIC FIGURE
Action chains
References
Ungerer, F. and H.J. Schmid. 1996. An introduction to cognitive linguistics. Harlow, Essex: Addison Wesley Longman Ltd.