Figure and ground

Fernanda Vera P. (Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)

Figure and ground

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

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:157)

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)

Figure and ground

Figure
Has a form or shape Seems to have other thing-like qualities such as: Structure Coherence Appears to lie in front of the ground Perceived as being more prominent than the ground (perceptual prominence) Is formless The contour seems to belong to the figure Unstructured, shapeless and uniform

Ground

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)

Figure/ground segregation

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:158)

Figure and ground

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)

From a linguistic point of view

The selection of figure and ground and the relations the two elements have to each other in the examples is rendered in words. The relationship between figure and ground can be seen in terms of locative relations (usually rendered by prepositions).

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)

From a linguistic point of view

The book is on the table The balloon is above the house The balloon is flying over the house
(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:159)

Image schema, trajector, landmark and path

Locative relations like:

OVER and UNDER UP and DOWN IN and OUT

Are regarded as image schemas

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.

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:160)

Image schema

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:161)

Image schema, trajector, landmark and path

Trajector stands for the figure Landmark stands for the ground Trajector and landmark may vary in size and shape The trajector can be in contact with the landmark or it can be part of the landmark

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)

Image schema, trajector, landmark and path

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:162-

Elaborations

Such variants which only specify certain components of a schema, but do not diverge from its general configuration.

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:164)

Elaborations

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:164)

Clause patterns
TRADITIONAL GRAMMAR
SUBJECT

THREE KEY ELEMENTS

VERB (PREDICATE) COMPLEMENT

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)

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-

Figure and ground

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.

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)

Degree of prominence in subject and complement

Syntactic figure [(clausal) trajector]

Syntactic ground [(clausal) landmark]

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)

Syntactic figure

Guided and restricted by a number of other cognitive principles.

Role archetypes

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)

Role archetypes

Agent we are capable of initiating motion or physical activity in objects or other persons.

Patient

We experience that objects or organisms are affected by physical impact from

outside and undergo a change of state or are moved to another location.

Instrumental Intermediary between agent and patient.

Experiencer Someone engaged in mental activities, including emotions.

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)

Action chains, energy flow and the billiard-ball metaphor

Interactions between the objects and organisms are by way of physical contact.

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996: 175

Action chains
SUSAN IS PEELING A BANANA

AGENT

PATIENT

HEAD

TAIL

SYNTACTIC FIGURE

SYNTACTIC GROUND (Ungerer and Schmid, 1996)

Action chains

(Ungerer and Schmid, 1996:176)

References

Ungerer, F. and H.J. Schmid. 1996. An introduction to cognitive linguistics. Harlow, Essex: Addison Wesley Longman Ltd.