Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Center-Periphery Schema

Definition: 

A center–periphery schema is an image schema involving:

  • a physical or metaphorical core and edge
  • degrees of distance from the core
Examples: 

(English)

  • The structure of an apple
  • An individual’s perceptual sphere
  • An individual’s social sphere, with family and friends at the core and others having degrees of peripherality
Source: 
124–125