The Analysis of the Image Schemata in Persian and Arabic Proverbs with a Cognitive Semantics Approach

Abstract

In cognitive linguistics, proverbs play crucial roles in mankind cognition for assertion of experiences about inside and outside of the world. The present study tries to analysis image schemata in Persian and Arabic proverbs based on the Green and Evans (2006) image schema in a cognitive semantic framework. In this study, first, providing general definition and some theories regarding cognitive linguistics, semantic, cognitive development and image schemata, we examine the role of three image schemas (namely, container, part–whole and space schemas) the proverbs playing as conceptual interaction. The findings of the current study reveal that Persian and Arabic proverbs have linguistic image schemas style in both cultures and the global analysis of selected proverbs demonstrates that all of the proverbs are general statement about living in experience which are very much present in both cultures and perceptual interaction.