scholarly journals Grounding Abstract Concepts in Action

2021 ◽  
pp. 167-194
Author(s):  
Paola Vernillo
Keyword(s):  
Schema Theory ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Semantic Class ◽  
Image Schemas ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Motor Information ◽  
Action Verbs ◽  
Core Meaning

AbstractSensory-motor information is linguistically encoded by action verbs. Such verbs are not only used to express action concepts and events, but they are also pervasively exploited in the linguistic representation of abstract concepts and figurative meanings. In the light of several theoretical approaches (i.e., Embodied Theories, Conceptual Metaphor Theory, Image Schema Theory), this paper analyzes the mechanisms that enable action verbs to acquire abstract meanings and that motivate the symmetries (or asymmetries) in the semantic variations of locally equivalent verbs (e.g., premere and spingere; Eng., to press and to push). The research is carried out within the IMAGACT framework and focuses on a set of four Italian action verbs encoding force (i.e., premere, spingere, tirare, and trascinare; Eng., to press, to push, to pull, and to drag). The results confirm that metaphorical extensions of action verbs are constrained by the image schemas involved in the core meaning of the verbs. Additionally, the paper shows that these image schemas are responsible for the asymmetries in the metaphorical variation of action verbs pertaining to the same semantic class (i.e., force).

scholarly journals How to Represent Abstract Concepts? From the Perspective of Conceptual Metaphor Theory

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
Yanli Huang
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Metaphor ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Target Domain ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Image Schemas ◽  
The Third ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Concrete Concepts ◽  
Core Issues

How human understand and represent concepts is always a hot topic in cognitive psychology. According to the conceptual metaphor theory 1, 2, understanding and representing abstract concepts rely on concrete concepts via metaphoric mappings. In this review, we discussed three core issues with the aim to have a comprehensive understanding of conceptual metaphors. First, I describe the underlying process of metaphoric mappings. Lakoff and Johnson (1999) 2 put forward that the source domain (concrete concepts) can be used to represent the target domain (abstract concepts). The metaphoric mappings from source domains to target domains are characterized as image schemas, which structure and provide sensory-motor grounding for abstract concepts. Then, I concerned on the directionality (the second issue) and automaticity (the third issue) of metaphoric mappings. According to conceptual metaphor theory, metaphoric mappings have the directionality from the concrete domain to the abstract domain, which is an automatic and obligatory process with neither effort nor awareness. However, directionality and automaticity were debated by recent research. In this article, by focusing on the three important issues I provided a comprehensive review which would help deepen our understanding about the nature of metaphoric mappings.

scholarly journals The Role of the “Path” and the “Container” Image Schemas in Political Discourse in Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. p123
Author(s):  
Dr. Raphael Francis Otieno
Keyword(s):  
Political Discourse ◽  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor ◽  
Schema Theory ◽  
Target Domain ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Image Schemas ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Image Schema

The study of conceptual interaction has attracted the attention of many scholars in Cognitive Linguistics. Primarily, the analysis has focused on the role of image-schemas in the construction of metaphors. This study explores the PATH and the CONTAINER image-schemas and the role they play in conceptual formation of metaphors in political discourse in Kenya. The study presents the PATH and its subsidiary image schemas of Verticality, Process and Force-Motion and the CONTAINER image-schema and the subsidiary image-schemas of Excess and In-Out. The analysis reveals that both the PATH and the CONTAINER image-schemas structure the relationship between the source domains (journey and container) and the target domain (politics) by activating subsidiary image-schemas in metaphors of politics in Kenya. The study further reveals that image-schemas provide the axiological value (positive or negative) of metaphorical expressions in political discourse. A positive political environment is a key ingredient for green growth and knowledge economy. The study contributes to the field of metaphor in political discourse by examining the politicians’ conceptualization of politics as a journey, which consists of four structural elements (a source, a destination, contiguous locations which connect the source and the destination and a direction) and as a container, which consists of an interior, an exterior and a boundary. The study used the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) as a tool to establish conceptual metaphors used during the 2005 Draft Constitution referendum campaigns in Kenya and the Image-Schema Theory to account for the presence of image-schemas in political discourse in Kenya. Lakoff and Johnson’s (1980) Conceptual Metaphor Theory is the locus classicus of the image schema theory.

Interpersonal judgments, embodied reasoning, and juridical legitimacy

2018 ◽  
pp. 862-874
Author(s):  
Somogy Varga
Keyword(s):  
Embodied Cognition ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Experimental Findings ◽  
Bodily States ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Negligible Influence

A particular branch of the embodied cognition (EC) research program explicates abstract concepts and metaphors as grounded in particular domains of bodily experience. This chapter explores conceptual metaphor theory (CMT) and some recent behavioral and neuroscientific research that appears to offer some support for it. While this research indicates that bodily states exert non-negligible influence on cognition and behavior, the influences appear to occur in a way that is insensitive to reflectively endorsed norms. Assuming that the experimental findings extend to real-life situations, the findings raise a number of questions. The chapter offers reflections on particular questions and concerns in the legal realm and explores whether the findings present potential challenges to juridical legitimacy.

The structure of our concepts: A critical assessment of Conceptual Metaphor Theory as a theory of concepts

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peer F. Bundgaard
Keyword(s):  
Meaning Making ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Specific Domain ◽  
Conceptual Metaphors ◽  
Cross Domain ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
George Lakoff ◽  
Experimental Findings

Abstract George Lakoff and Mark Johnson’s Conceptual Metaphor Theory is by and large a theory of what (abstract) concepts are, how they are structured, and how this structure is acquired — i.e., by mapping of structure from one more concrete or sensory-motor specific domain to another more abstract domain. Conceptual metaphors therefore rest on “cross-domain mappings.” The claims to the effect that our abstract concepts are metaphorically structured and that cross-domain mappings constitute one of the fundamental cognitive meaning-making processes are empirical and can therefore be put to the test. In this paper, I will critically assess Conceptual Metaphor Theory as a theory of concepts in light of recent experimental findings. Many such findings provide evidence for the psychological reality of cross-domain mappings, i.e., that structure activated in one domain actually can perform cognitive tasks carried out in another domain. They do not, however, support the claim that the structure of our (abstract) concepts is still metaphorical, as Lakoff and Johnson claim — that is to say, that our mind actually does perform cross-domain mappings when we process conventional conceptual metaphors such as “Death is Rest” or “Love is a Journey.” Two conclusions can be drawn from this: (1) it is necessary to distinguish between cross-domain mappings (which are psychologically real) and the metaphoric structure of our concepts (which is not, in the sense that such concepts do not any longer activate cross-domain mappings when processed); (2) Conceptual Metaphor Theory is not an adequate theory of concepts. I will therefore sketch another more viable theory of concepts where the structure of our concepts is defined as the full ecology of their situations of use, which includes the kind of situations (objects, agents, interactions) they apply to and the kind of emotional, cognitive, bodily, and behavioral responses they elicit. On this view, the contents of our concepts are to be considered as vague predicates, with vague extensions, which take on a specific form in their situation of use.

scholarly journals A COGNITIVE STUDY OF METAPHOR TRANSLATION IN “TRAVELLING FAR AWAY FROM MT. JINGMEN”

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Huang ◽  
Feng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Tang Dynasty ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor ◽  
Schema Theory ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
English Translations ◽  
The Tang Dynasty ◽  
Li Bai ◽  
Image Schema ◽  
Cognitive Study

<p>“<em>Travelling Far Away from Mt. Jingmen</em>” (渡荆门送别) is written by Li Bai, a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, on his way out of Sichuan. As a masterpiece of Li Bai’s poetry, the poem is full of imagination, making people unconsciously indulge in it. Since half lines of the poem are related to metaphors, this paper makes a detailed study of the metaphors in the poem and their English translations based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Image Schema Theory, and points out some characteristics of metaphor translation in the poem.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0666/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

scholarly journals CONCEPTUALISATIONS OF ANGER IN ENGLISH IDIOMS. AN ANALYSIS BASED ON THE EXTENDED CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR THEORY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dobiášová
Keyword(s):  
Crucial Role ◽  
Figurative Language ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Heat Element ◽  
Image Schemas ◽  
Language Analysis ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Idiomatic Meaning

The article combines the approach to idiom classification according to Langlotz (2006) and the recently suggested analytical framework for figurative language analysis known under the name of the Extended Conceptual Metaphorical Theory (Kovecses 2020). The aim of the article is to identify some of the conceptual pathways of ANGER idioms in English. The analysis of 37 idioms for expressing ANGER revealed that both metaphorical (e.g. go through/hit the root) and metonymic (e.g. make someone's hackles rise) motivations play a crucial role in the transparency of the idiomatic meaning. It was also concluded that three image schemas in particular play a crucial role in metaphorical idioms for expressing the concept of ANGER in English: ACTIVITY IS MOTIO N, INTENSITY OF ACTIVITY IS HEAT and ANGER IS HEAT. However, contrary to the HEAT element, which is particularly salient in linguistic metaphors for expressing ANGER (e.g. kindle the wrath), it is the MOTION element which plays the crucial role in the conceptualizations of ANGER in idioms in English (e.g. go through/hit the roof, flip the lid, fly off the handle).

scholarly journals A Three-Dimensional Spatial Metaphorical Representation of Generation Implied in Han Kin Terms

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huijuan Li ◽  
Jijia Zhang ◽  
Entao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Information ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
The Family ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Spatial Terms ◽  
The Brain

Abstract concepts can be represented in the brain by means of metaphors. Generation refers to seniority in the family or clan, implies the implementation of different attitudes required by kinship, and contains profound psychological, emotional, and social factors. Generation as an abstract concept is related to concepts such as power, social status, importance, and time. The conceptual metaphor theory based on the embodied theory proposes that abstract concepts are represented by actual sensorimotor experiences. Generation implied in Han kin terms is often represented by multiple spatial terms. According to conceptual metaphor theory, the current study predicted that generation could be represented by multiple spatial metaphors. We designed six experiments to investigate this issue. The results showed that (1) the up–down and left–right positions in which kinship words were presented affected the processing of the concept of generation; (2) the processing of kinship words also affected up–down and left–right spatial information perception; and (3) the processing of the concept of generation could also automatically activate the front–back spatial operation and induce the embodied simulation of body movement. In sum, the results suggested that generation might be represented by the three-dimensional spatial metaphor of vertical, horizontal, and sagittal axes, which are influenced by the sensorimotor system.

scholarly journals A Study of Hot and Cold Metaphors in Iraqi Arabic

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-58
Author(s):  
Khalid Wahaab Jabber ◽  
Hayder Tuama Jasim Al-Saedi
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sampled Data ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Idiomatic Expressions ◽  
Abstract Domains ◽  
Arabic Speaker ◽  
Concrete Domains

The present study is an attempt to explore the ways of an Iraqi Arabic speaker conceptualises his/her understanding of various abstract domains of emotions or feeling and attitudes through his/her experiences of concrete domains of Cold and Hot metaphors. Lakoff & Johnson’s (1980) Conceptual Metaphor Theory is adopted to analyse the collected data. Idiomatic expressions and proverbs are chosen specifically from the southern dialect where they are widely used in daily interaction. The data analysis classified the results according to their abstract and concrete domains of the sampled data. The findings of this study showed different conceptualisations of the Hot and Cold metaphor in Iraqi Arabic. The study concluded that these metaphors are used to conceive more of the abstract concepts of emotions, feelings, and attitudes. Cold domain is used to conceptualise the bad habits of people, and it is also used to conceptualise some good habits, on the other hand. Whereas Hot domain is used to conceptualise the more intensive of emotions and attitudes. The study concluded that the sharp emotions, feelings and attitudes that are understood from the conceptualisation of Hot and Cold conceptual metaphors, are experienced from the more concrete domains of hard things. 

scholarly journals Morphological Metaphor Mapping of Moral Concepts in Chinese Culture

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingjie Liu ◽  
Kang Li ◽  
Lina Li ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Yuerui Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor ◽  
Physical World ◽  
Chinese Characters ◽  
Moral Norms ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Moral Concepts ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
The Right

According to conceptual metaphor theory, individuals are thought to understand or express abstract concepts by using referents in the physical world—right and left for moral and immoral, for example. In this research, we used a modified Stroop paradigm to explore how abstract moral concepts are metaphorically translated onto physical referents in Chinese culture using the Chinese language. We presented Chinese characters related to moral and immoral abstract concepts in either non-distorted or distorted positions (Study 1) or rotated to the right or to the left (Study 2). When we asked participants to identify the Chinese characters, they more quickly and accurately identified morally positive characters if they were oriented upright or turned to the right and more quickly and accurately identified immoral characters when the characters were distorted or rotated left. These results support the idea that physical cues are used in metaphorically encoding social abstractions and moral norms and provided cross-cultural validation for conceptual metaphor theory, which would predict our results.

scholarly journals The flesh and blood of embodied understanding

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Forceville ◽  
Marloes Jeulink
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Metaphor ◽  
Story Telling ◽  
Conceptual Metaphor Theory ◽  
Central Concept ◽  
Image Schemas ◽  
Metaphor Theory ◽  
Purposive Activity

According to Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), the Source-Path-Goal (SPG) schema constitutes a central concept in cognition. Apart from literally structuring “movement”, SPG also shapes our understanding of “purposive activity”, including questing and story-telling. A problem in CMT, however, is that the existence of image schemas is almost exclusively postulated on the basis of verbal expressions. To examine the claim that people recruit image schemas such as SPG to make sense of life, it is essential to examine non-verbal modalities. Animation has highly medium-specific opportunities to exploit SPG by its emphasis on “manner of movement” and “balance”. Three animation films (Father and Daughter, Quest, and O) exemplifying MOVEMENT, QUEST, and STORY are analyzed in terms of SPG to chart how they exploit this schema. We end the paper by positioning our findings with respect to recent discussions about image schemas in Hampe (2005a) and by suggesting avenues for further research.

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