Culturally Loaded Conceptual Metaphors in Korean and Implications for L2 Learning

Abstract

Metaphor use is identified by conceptual variation that can be explained in relation to culture-specific discourse traditions. Through the cultural linguistic analysis, this study examines Korean culture-specific conceptual metaphors and argues that the Korean language use embodies the underlying culturally loaded conceptualizations. By providing three Korean culture-specific conceptual bodily organ metaphors such as heart, face, and liver, this study discusses the importance of cultural conceptualizations behind linguistic expression in both L1 acquisition and L2 learning. The emphasis is placed on the fact that the Korean bodily organ metaphors are culturally loaded and conceptualized, therefore, can be differently understood among the speakers across cultures and languages. This study demonstrates the cultural relativity which puts in doubt traditional assumptions about metaphor use and argues that L2 learning is likely to involve confronting new systems of cultural conceptualization. It concludes with a discussion of the implications of intercultural conceptual fluency and metaphorical competence of L2 learning within the framework of cultural linguistics.