What is a force schema?

Definition
	A force schema is an image schema that involves physical or metaphorical causal interaction. It includes the following elements:
	A source and target of the force A direction and intensity of the force A path of motion of the source and/or target A sequence of causation

Examples (English)
	Physical Wind Gravity
	Metaphorical Love-as-a-physical-force Justice-as-balance

Kinds
	Here are some kinds of force schemata:
	What is an attraction schema? What is a balance schema? What is a blockage schema? What is a compulsion schema? What is a counterforce schema? What is a diversion schema? What is an enablement schema? What is a restraint removal schema?

Generic
	A force schema is a kind of
	What is an image schema?

Sources
	Johnson 1987 42–44, 90
	Lakoff, G. and Johnson 1980 49
	Kovecses 1986 90

Context for this page:

Concept module: force schema
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): F
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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