The Image Schemas of " The World" in Sermons and Short Sayings of Nahj al-Balāghah (Based on Evans and Green's model)

Cognitive linguistics has received increased attention among scholars for three decades. According to this approach, mind structures play an important role in interacting with the world. And systemizing, process and transmission of data are the duty of language. In this regard, metaphor and mental images are known as important systematic categories of language. Metaphor is not only known as an aesthetical factor but also defined as a meta-linguistic tool shaping the conceptual system of mindset and guiding human thought, attitude and language. Evans and Green introduce the Image schemas as a part of "conceptual structure". Thus, defining metaphor and counting the differences of traditional and modern views, I would discuss the Image schemas and review the Image schemas of "the world" in sermons and short sayings of Nahj al-Balāghahin terms of cognitive semantics. Moreover, the inquiry relies on Evans and Greenchr('39')s model of Image schemas. Studying the schemas presented in this model, I come to the conclusion that there are various schemas in the context of sermons and short sayings of Nahj al-Balāghah namely: path, control, force, unity, spatial, balance, consistency, and existence schema. Among all, path schemas have a high quantity and the schemas mostly used to address the material world.