Abstract
This article studies metaphorical expressions, as well as comparative phrases that represent the emotional state of fear. The material of the study was the novel by German writer Gerta Muller “Herztier” and its translation into the Russian language. It is worth mentioning that this investigation is not only congruent with the system-structural approach but also with the system of cognitive approach to language. In the novel by Gerta Muller “Herztier”, which we analyze, and its translation into Russian, figurative devices, that is, metaphorical expressions and comparisons are used to nominate the emotional state of fear. The factual analysis has shown that the so-called anthropomorphic metaphors demonstrate a greater frequency of use. Fear is personified and acquires physical characteristics peculiar to man. We have disclosed verbal zoomorphic metaphors in which the characterization of the emotional state of fear is represented through comparing with the image of an animal. In addition to metaphors, of special interest are the comparisons which are formed by adding an insertion word. We have analyzed the syntactic structure of the formation of comparisons in German and Russian, namely: Субъект (Subject)+ глагол (Verb)+ объект сравнения (Comparing Object)/ Praposition + Subjekt + (Praposition) Objekt; Субъект (Subject) + глагол (Verb) + как (like) + объект сравнения (Comparing Object) / Subjekt + Verb; Субъект + прилагательное / Adjektiv + Subjekt. The result of complex analysis reveals that a more emotionally vivid description of the emotional state of fear is observed in the Russian translation, while in the original text the author’s language is less metaphorical and the emotion is expressed less expressively.
Highlights
A contemporary theory of metaphoric transfers began with the notion of its structure as a combination of two ideas into one image
Let us analyze the examples of metaphorical expressions in the original text and its Russian translation
Fear is personified and acquires the physical characteristics peculiar to man, for example: Полевые вьюнки сладко пахли под вечер – или то был запах моего страха [4] (Field bindweed scented of honey in the late afternoon – or it was the smell of my fear)
Summary
A contemporary theory of metaphoric transfers began with the notion of its structure as a combination of two ideas into one image. Metaphor is “two thoughts that relate to different subjects, but are comprehended in one word or phrase, the meaning of which is the result of their interaction” [1]. The scholar points out that the reason for origin of metaphor is the comparison of the semantic concepts by the human mind. Let us analyze the examples of metaphorical expressions in the original text and its Russian translation.
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