Imágenes conceptuales de la mente alterada: el caso de loco y tonto

Abstract

The aim of this paper is a cognitive analysis of the most important conceptual images of insanity and foolishness reflected in Spanish idiomatic expressions, which are based on image schemas. Furthermore, it is irrefutable that the head’s function is always the locus of the mind and the intellect; this allowed the identification of the first metaphorical-metonymical model: THE SPACIAL LOCATION, which is closely linked to the image schema of A CONTAINER (including its subordinate variants INSIDE– OUT, FULL–EMPTY, NEAR–FAR). The second model identified through the analysis is POSSESSION, an example of which is the schema of A (VALUABLE) OBJECT and A MACHINE. As a result, the state of being insane brings to mind, amongst others, metaphorical images of being outside of the container, its emptiness, damage or loss, whereas the quality of being foolish is primarily conceptualised as having an empty container and one’s short-sightedness.