Image schemas in gestural metaphorical scenarios of swearing

Abstract

Abstract The following study integrates the concept of image schema with the idea of gestural metaphorical scenario, showing how image schematic properties of gestures feed into a pragmatically-oriented gestural metaphorical scenario distributed across different speakers. The study shows that a gestural metaphorical scenario of swearing is based on several image schemas: the cognitively primary object image schema, the source-path-goal image schema, showing the trajectory of movement of an imaginary object, and the blockage image schema, enacting the meaning of not being willing to accept an imaginary object into the speaker’s personal space, effectively leading to blocking its way. The proposed integration also lends more credence to the idea of a multilevel metaphor, where a single metaphor is treated as consisting of various elements at different levels of schematicity. Apart from that, the study shows that the straight image schema, visible in pointing gestures, is a scenario-independent conceptual element surfacing when people use gestures while swearing, projecting a way out of the speaker’s personal space.