A semantic map for ideophones

This chapter studies the semantics of ideophones, alternatively known as mimetics or expressives. The surveyed approaches include Image Schemas, Idealized Cognitive Models, Frame Semantics and Diachronic Prototype Semantics. These are compared to a cross-linguistic implicational hierarchy for the sensory domains, depicted by ideophones: SOUND < MOVEMENT < VISUAL PATTERNS < OTHER SENSORY PERCEPTIONS < INNER FEELINGS AND COGNITIVE STATES. After charting the impact of this hierarchy on ideophone studies, a case is made for a semantic map approach. This involves the development of a conceptual space with four contiguous zones: (I) SOUND, (II) VISION, (III) SOMATOSENSATION, (IV) INNER SENSE. The zones contain subschemas: (I) HUMAN, ANIMATE, INANIMATE; (II) MOVEMENT, SIZE, SHAPE, BRIGHTNESS, COLOR, POSITION, CONFIGURATION; (III) TOUCH, SMELL, TASTE, KINAESTHESIA, TEMPERATURE, PAIN; (IV) INNER FEELINGS, EVALUATION, TIME. Subsequently, the semantic maps of ten different languages are drawn and discussed.