Figurative motion events in naive conceptualization of death

Abstract

This article examines specific features of figurative representation of the concept of DEATH in English phraseological units with motion verbs. The relevance of this research stems from the need to model human experience and describe the most important worldview components by studying the linguistic expressions. The analysis of the concept of DEATH allows to extend the knowledge of stereotypical and cultural attitudes toward this phenomenon, increase our understanding of archaic thought patterns regarding the existential issues. Besides that, the study of conceptual interaction between different spheres of human experience, which allows to define conceptual systems as a complex interdependent structure, is also considered to be relevant. In this article the concept of DEATH is analyzed in connection with the concept of MOTION that not only describes mechanical movement but is also used to conceptualize the most abstract concept of human experience. This article also presents a deep analysis of the semantics of phraseological units. As the result, different metaphorical, metonymical and metaphtonimical models of knowledge representation are extracted. The research is carried out within a broader cultural context and combines the findings obtained from other fields of study such as cultural studies, mythology, thanatology, etc. Key research methods include etymological analysis, component analysis, semantic description, and interpretation methods. Quantitative method is also used to determine metaphor to metonymy ratio within the semantical structure of the analyzed phraseological units. The results of this research show the most common metaphorical, metonymical, and combined models that shape understanding of death; represent quantitative ratio of metaphor to metonymy. The findings also demonstrate how death is conceptualized in English linguoculture and describe the conceptual links between the sphere of motion and death