Basic Metaphor Research Articles

Underground Man in Legal Position: Dostoevsky and Existential Philosophy

The text implements a peculiar approach to the well-known topic “Dostoevsky and existential philosophy”. The author introduces a metaphor, based on which, it seems possible to conceptually and laconically reconstruct the philosophical position of the Russian thinker and, at the same time, to explicate a number of paradigm features of existential ontology and epistemology. The main thing is in the appearance of another (perhaps not superfluous) dimension of understanding the human place in the world. “An underground man in a legal position” is the announced basic metaphor. It makes it possible to clarify the meaning of the idea of unconcealedness and concretizes the link of uniqueness and inconsistency, on which, characterizing a person, existentialism focuses on. A philosophical interpretation of the underground from the “Notes” of the same name written by F. M. Dostoevsky and, with reference to the novel «Demons», an interpretation of the vulgarized underground are given. The “method” of Dostoevsky, as far as it is generally correct to speak of such, is identified as existential dialectics.

Metaphorical conceptualization in national sports

The article addresses a number of issues in the study of conceptual metaphors related to their nature, typology, and functioning in various discourses. Metaphorical conceptualization on the material of the Yakut language has not so far been systematically explored in the cognitive linguistics literature on metaphor. On the basis of the theoretical framework of conceptual metaphor theory, the paper analyses creative and frozen metaphors and their systematic interconnection during conceptualization in sports discourse. The basic metaphor of sports discourse SPORT IS WAR is frequently elaborated by metaphorical nominations, such as “bootur” (ancient Yakut warriors), “soldaty” (soldiers), etc. In national sports, conceptual metaphors vividly and expressively reflect the specificity of not only the language, but also the history, traditions, and the metaphorical conceptualization of a particular ethnos.

Метафоры сферы-мишени ‘экономикаʼ в дискурсе современных российских медиа

We determined metaphors of the target sphere ‘economy' based on the material of the media discourse on economic topics. Modern journalistic texts, including texts on economic issues, are distinguished by the active use of a wide variety of expressive means, including metaphorical ones. Therefore, there is a need for consistent accounting and detailed description of current metaphorical models, considering the specifics of their functioning in various types of discourse. The choice of economic discourse is connected with the special position occupied by the economic part of culture, and with the special significance of this part in modern global processes. Various types of metaphors are actively used in media texts on economic topics: anthropomorphic, naturalmorphic, socialmorphic, artifact, etc. The main objective of the paper is to determine the most frequent metaphorical models used to represent the concept of ‘economy'. Such features as frequency, derivational activity, the ability of a metaphor to appear in the headlines of media texts and textogennost', allow us to consider a metaphor as a key metaphor or ‘current metaphor'. Metaphors of growth, which belong to anthropomorphic and naturalmorphic models, as well as metaphors of illness can be considered as key metaphors among metaphors with the token economy. Metaphors of war are one of the basic metaphors belonging to socialmorphic models. Metaphors of braking, skidding vehicle are one of the basic metaphors belonging to artifact models.

The person between the vertical of spirit and the horizon of soul: Pedagogical processes of personal growing, development and formation in the light of Orthodox anthropology

This article examines the relationship between pedagogical processes of personal growing, development, and formation in the light of Orthodox anthropology. The author makes an attempt to coordinate the concepts of theological anthropology with pedagogical terminology, as well as to harmonize key principles of Soviet, humanistic, and co-Image Orthodox-oriented pedagogy on the basis of an anthropological approach. Particular attention is paid to an attempt to explain the essence of the spiritual and mental structure of human nature without using theological terminology for lay teachers. This is done with the help of the basic metaphors of “spiritual formation vertical” and “mental development horizon”, which make it possible to explain clearly the fundamental differences between the spiritual and mental components of human nature. Spiritual development is seen as a process of human improvement through overcoming moral relativism and temptations by sin and vice, and mental development as an expansion and dissemination of reasonable, volitional, and sensual-emotional forces of a person through the creation of favorable conditions. The formation of a person through external influence on the mental part of human nature is an organized process that balances the spontaneity of the process of mental development. The article makes an attempt to reconcile the patristic doctrine of man and the provisions of modern pedagogical anthropology.

Когнитивная метафора как основа образования английских фразеологизмов-соматизмов

The paper studies English somatic phraseological units. Due to the fact that language is anthropocentric, it becomes possible to trace in detail the formation of phraseological units on the basis of cognitive metaphor. Idiomatic expressions reflect fundamental models of human thinking by using conceptual structures. The aim of the research is to identify the effect of the cognitive metaphor mechanism based on the origin of somatic phraseological units. The scientific originality of the research consists in determining the cognitive way of “packing” somatic phraseological units based on the metaphorical projection of their etymology, as well as classifying the concepts expressed by somatic phraseological units. As a result, the etymology of 53 somatic phraseological units based on metaphorical projection has been identified, the concepts represented by somatic phraseological units have been revealed and classified into the categories of concepts connected with human life and activity.

Book Review. A New Insight into Theory of Conceptual Metaphor

Book Review. A New Insight into Theory of Conceptual Metaphor

As denominações para libélula, no Atlas Linguístico do Brasil: um estudo sobre a motivação dos signos

The names attributed to the libelula (dragonfly), - long, thin body insect, with four transparent wings, which flies and hits the back in the water - Question 85 of the QSL of the Linguistic Atlas of Brazil, they exemplify the complex variational system of the lexicon of Brazilian Portuguese (PB), reflecting facts from the socio-history of each region and, even, each location and each individual. The variants registered in ALiB, in the capitals, suggest that the insect’s name is, in general, of metaphorical basis, motivated by its physical aspect, sound, movements and, equally, through mental associations/analogies with similar ones, resulting, in most cases, in transparent signs. In order to ratify or, perhaps, rectify the results of the capitals, in this work, we analyzed the data collected in the interior of the country from 900 informants, making a total of 225 locations. With the support of this corpus, guided by the theoretical and methodological principles of Lexicography and Semantics, we aim to: (i) verify the dictionary entries of the forms obtained; (ii) describe the variants in terms of morphological aspects; and (iii) analyze these denominations from the perspective of motivational semantics.

Антропоморфна метафора в англійській термінології ветеринарії

Introduction. The article is devoted to the presentation of the results of the study of metaphorization and the study of metaphorical terms, widely represented in the English terminology of veterinary medicine. The purpose of the article is to represent the features of the anthropomorphic metaphorical name in the English terminology of veterinary medicine. Materials and methods of research. The study of metaphorization as a way of forming English veterinary terms was conducted by us on the basis of lexicographic data recorded in English terminological dictionaries of veterinary medicine. Results of the research. The analysis of lexicographic material allowed to identify four donor domains that served as a source of metaphorical names in the terminology of veterinary medicine: HUMAN, LIVING ORGANISM, NATURAL FACT, ARTIFACT. Conceptual analysis of metaphorical terms of veterinary medicine revealed that one of the most productive metaphors used in the creation of terminological units is anthropomorphic. In anthropomorphic metaphorization, the names are transferred from the donor domain HUMAN to the recipient domain VETERINARY. The article attempts to consider the cognitive basis of anthropomorphic metaphor as one of the mechanisms of creation of veterinary terms in English. Based on the theory of conceptual metaphor, it was found that the sources of anthropomorphic metaphor are the biological characteristics of people, the names of body parts and properties of a living organism. Semantic groups of metaphorical terms formed on the basis of cognitive transfer of tokens related to the structure of the human body, its behavior, inherent qualities, life and way of life in the field of veterinary medicine based on external or functional similarity between donor and recipient domains are considered. Сonclusions. Thus, the study allows us to conclude that the terms-metaphors occupy a certain niche in the terminology of veterinary medicine in English and ensure their effective functioning in the language of veterinarians. Conceptual analysis of metaphorical terms of veterinary medicine revealed that one of the most productive is anthropomorphic metaphor. As a result of anthropomorphic metaphorization, new terms of veterinary medicine are formed on the basis of cognitive transfer of tokens that relate to the social characteristics of a person that determine his appearance, behavior or condition, in the field of veterinary medicine on the basis of external or functional similarity between donor and recipient domains.

Master-Metaphors in Sociology: Characteristics and Principles of Use

The pгinciples of functioning of basic metaphors at various peгiod of the development of sociology аге investigated. SocioЬiological and flow-netwoгk metaphoгs аге compaгed. lt is shown that both Ыocks of basic sociological metaphoгs аге characterized bу а comЬination of internal diffeгentiation and external unity. The authoг analyzes the paгallels between changes in the understanding of human natшe and society, гeflected in the basic metaphoгs. It is concluded that despite the change of paradigms of the description of society expгessed in the change of metaphors, the rules of sociological descгiption гemain the same. And it is expгessed in the same principles of functioning of vaгious master-metaphors.

Metaphoric chains

AbstractThe molecular structure of a complex metaphor comprises two or more atomic metaphorical parts, known as primary metaphors. In the same way, several molecular structures of metaphors may combine and form a mixture, known as mixed metaphors. In this study, different types of metaphoric integrations are reviewed and illustrated in figures to facilitate understanding the phenomena. Above all, we introduce double-ground metaphoric chain, a new form of metaphoric integration that has not been identified in the previous literature. Also, a distinction is made between single-ground and double-ground metaphoric chains. In the former, which has already been introduced, two basic metaphors are chained with the same form and have the same ground, while the latter includes two chained metaphors, one main metaphor plus a supportive one, with different grounds. In this analysis, we benefited from Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) to analyse double-ground metaphoric chains. This study suggests that each metaphoric integration leads to a multifaceted conceptualization, in which each facet is related to one of the constituent micro-metaphors.

Recasting paradigms of institutional analysis and stakeholder analysis in housing research

In response to the global challenge of low-income housing provision, research on understanding the housing provision mechanisms has gained a reputation among emerging scholars and practitioners in architecture, urban development, housing, and public policy. An effective provision system entails the institutions and stakeholders comprehending their interrelations within the housing market context, lacking conceptual clarity. Challenging roles of institutions and stakeholders within the domain of housing provision necessitates the groundwork to study the contextual positions and relations of stakeholders as an analogous component and the analysis of institutional frameworks. The paper provides the theoretical foundations within the metaphorical bases for integrating the respective analytical approaches, i.e., institutional analysis (IA) and stakeholder analysis (SA), drawing on critical theoretical constructs. By analytical comparison of empirical evidence of IA and SA in housing research against the prompting keywords, critical reflections offer the conceptual foundation of new research agenda through IA-SA integrated approach. The study thereby advances the theoretical understanding between the regulatory level (institutions) and engagement level (stakeholders). It proposes a multi-level analysis process that complements the IA-SA integration for examining the provision systems in the context of low-income housing.

Integration of Content Instruction and Language Instruction in the Movie English Classroom: On the Basis of Embodiment, Image Schemas, and Metaphors

Integration of Content Instruction and Language Instruction in the Movie English Classroom: On the Basis of Embodiment, Image Schemas, and Metaphors

METAPHOR IN MODERN CHINESE SLANGS

Metaphor is a rhetorical method used commonly in language in general and in slang in particular. With its iconic and implicit feature, metaphor makes language polished, refined and contains many layers of sophistication, beauty and sensuality. The paper examines The latest Chinese slang language by Li Shu My and Yan Li Gang and analyzes the basis and role of metaphor in modern Chinese slang.

Cantor’s paradise from the perspective of non‐revisionist Wittgensteinianism


 
 
 Cantor’s paradise from the perspective of non‐revisionist Wittgensteinianism: Ludwig Wittgenstein is known for his criticism of transfinite set theory. He forwards the claim that we tend to conceptualise infinity as an object due to the systematic confusion of extension with in‐ tension. There can be no mathematical symbol that directly refers to infinity: a rule is the only form by which the latter can appear in our symbolic operations. In consequence, Wittgenstein rejects such ideas as infinite cardinals, the Cantorian understanding of non‐denumerability, and the view of real numbers as a continuous sequence of points on a number line. Moreover, as he understands mathematics to be an anthropological phenomenon, he rejects set theory due to its lack of application. As I argue here, it is possible to defend Georg Cantor’s theory by taking a standpoint I call quietistic conventionalism. The standpoint broadly resembles Wittgenstein’s formalist middle period and allows us to view transfinite set theory as a result of a series of definitions established by arbitrary decisions that have no ontological consequences. I point to the fact that we are inclined to accept such definitions because of certain psycho‐ logical mechanisms such as the hypothetical Basic Metaphor of Infinity proposed by George Lakoff and Rafael E. Núñez. Regarding Wittgenstein’s criterion of applicability, I argue that it presupposes a static view of science. Therefore, we should not rely on it because we are unable to foresee what will turn out to be useful in the future.
 
 

The theme of creativity in the lyrics of A. A. Voznesensky (on the poem "Candle sculptor" ("Skul’ptor svechei"))

The author carries out a linguopoetic analysis of A. A. Voznesensky’s poem "Candle Sculptor" ("Skul’ptor Svechei") with a particular focus on its lexical composition and textual associative meaning fields, as well as symbolic, methaphoric and intertextual connections. The poem is devoted to the theme of creativity, which appears in the work as spiritual burning requiring the highest effort and complete dedication from a person. The vocabulary associated with the theme of creativity constructs associative semantic fields, thus determining the basic metaphors and symbols of the text. The poem contains clearly expressed intertextual connections: references to the ancient legend about the sculptor Pygmalion, allusions to the poetic works of V. V. Mayakovsky and B. L. Pasternak, as well as to the text of the Orthodox prayer "Our Father" ("Otche Nash").

Пространственная параметризация как основа концептуальной метафоры в языке У. Шекспира

В статье рассматривается когнитивная основа формирования пространственной метафоры в языке У. Шекспира. Исходя из накопленного опыта в изучении категоризации, концептуализации и вербализации пространства описаны возможные способы интерпретации пространственных (ориентационных) метафор, передаваемых предложными конструкциями. Пространственная параметризация человеком окружающего мира, его первичный опыт взаимодействия с окружающим миром рассматриваются как когнитивная основа для формирования универсальных когнитивных моделей, лежащих в основе пространственных метафор. Модели, репрезентирующие физическое пространство, легко переходят в ментальные пространства, передавая разнообразные абстрактные отношения, что и происходит, в частности, при создании пространственной метафоры. Многочисленные примеры доказывают, что явление метафорического переосмысления пространственных предлогов отнюдь не редко у Шекспира, а, напротив, является отражением его индивидуального мировосприятия, которое в конечном итоге отражается и в неповторимости стиля. Образность и экспрессивность, порождаемые пространственной метафорой, как правило, создают проблемы при переводе, поскольку иной язык накладывает определенные ограничения на буквальное воссоздание авторского образа. В случае с пространственными метафорами замена когнитивной модели (базового образа) не столь существенна по сравнению с полной утратой метафоричности, что значительно снижает экспрессивность в целом. The article discusses the cognitive base of spatial metaphors in the language of W. Shakespeare. Relying on the accumulated experience in the study of categorization, conceptualization and verbalization of space, the author suggests ways of interpreting spatial (orientational) metaphors conveyed by prepositional constructions. Man’s spatial parametrization of the surrounding world, his primary experience in interacting with the environment is regarded as a cognitive base of universal cognitive models which underlie spatial metaphors. Models representing physical space easily pass into mental spaces, conveying various abstract relations, which happens when a spatial metaphor appears. Numerous examples prove that metaphorical use of spatial prepositions is by no means rare in Shakespearean texts. On the contrary, is arises from his individual perception of the world, which ultimately results in the uniqueness of style. Figurativeness and expressiveness generated by spatial metaphor is a challenge in translation, since another language imposes certain restrictions on literal ‘verbal imitation’ of the author's image. As for spatial metaphors, а change of their cognitive model (base image) is a more acceptable loss as compared to the loss of figurativeness, which crucially reduces expressiveness.

ВИЗУАЛИЗАЦИЯ ПАМЯТИ В ПРОЕКТАХ УРАЛЬСКИХ ФОТОГРАФОВ А. БОГОМОЛОВОЙ И С. ПОТЕРЯЕВА

The article is devoted to the problem of memory visualization in the language of photography. Photography is presented as a sign system and a communicative tool of culture, as one of its mnemonic and memorial techniques. An image archive is created through a photo. It becomes a refuge of memory and material for the reconstruction and reinterpretation of memory. The author explores the nostalgic, retrospective genre of photography. The appearance of this genre demonstrates an increase in the demand of culture, society and personality for memory, to assert themselves in the present through a search for a connection with the past. The purpose of the article is the analysis of the visual language of photographic projects related to the theme of memory, the analysis of visual rhetoric, and the identification of a set of "visual toposes" and metaphors of memory. This article reviewed the projects of two young Ural photographers Anastasia Bogomolova and Sergey Poteryayev. Their work connects the theme of memory, the problem of reconstruction, reinterpretation and retranscription of the past. These projects are a kind of visual research of personal and collective memory, the development of the problems of places of memory and mythology of the place. The theme of memory in projects is directly related to the problem of identity. In the course of the study, the author of the article relies on materials from creative projects and exhibitions, information from copyright sites. The author also uses materials interviews in which photographers talk about themselves, about the history of project creation, conceptual ideas and creative orientations. Creativity of Anastasia Bogomolova appears as a performative act, as "unpacking the archive". For a photographer, memory becomes the basis of individual and family identity. In the exposition space, photographs are complemented by objects, video and sound installations, and performances. The projects of Sergey Poteryaev represent photo stories about real places and people. The photographer refers to the relationship of the fate of the disappearing settlements and their inhabitants. Using a collage technique, the photographer connects the past and the present, creates pictures of memory. The analysis of the visual language of the photo projects was carried out, the conceptual bases of the projects and creative techniques were investigated. The article identifies the key methods and techniques of working with photography, the basic metaphors and images through which personal, family, and collective memory became visible. The author shows that both photographers apply a topographical approach to memory in accordance with the nature of photography. Project photos convey such memory characteristics as paradox and surreality, multi-layered and collage, selectivity, fragmentation, and construction. The events of the past are distant from us, but images of memory exist in the present. Images of memory can fade; overlap each other like images in a photo. At the same time, they are overloaded and insufficient. Just as memory is changeable, mobile, its images can be fluid, distorted, but they help us comprehend the past for the present.

Features of Symbolic Interpretation

When we talk about the form of expression of artistic and poetic changes in the development of the Uzbek novel, we see that the evolution of human thought is artistically interpreted on the basis of symbolism and metaphors. Isajon Sultan's novel Bogiy Darbadar (Eternal Wanderer) is a philosophical interpretation of the suffering underlying human tragedy, the path to self-realization. The article is devoted to the interpretation in the novel of contradictions, symbols and metaphors used to express the inner world of a person

ТОПОС «ДОМ» КАК ГЕТЕРОТОПИЯ В РОМАНЕ М. ПЕТРОСЯН «ДОМ, В КОТОРОМ…»

The article is devoted to the study of the topos home as a stable image with spatial characteristics in the book by M. Petrosyan “House in Which ...”. The aim of the article is to identify the possibility of functioning of the topos home in the novel as a heterotopy, i.e. a space that is outside other places, but certainly interacts with them according to the principle of juxtaposition or opposition. To achieve the aim, a complex method was used, including structural-semiotic, mythological, cultural-historical methods, which made it possible to describe the structural and semantic features of the topos home (basic binary oppositions and metaphors that make up the core of the topos), as well as its role on the real, perceptual and conceptual levels of artistic space. The main results of the study include the following statements. The topos home in the book of M. Petrosyan is presented both as a place of action of the characters, as an anthropomorphized environment, and as a space of the author’s consciousness, and as an image-symbol, a space of memory. The concept of “house“ is associated with all aspects of human existence, and therefore the main oppositions that form the structure of the topos home in the novel reveal ontological, axiological, social, psychological, epistemological problems. The topos home approaches the topos world and the paradigm of its subtopos (world is a book, world is a temple, world is a garden, world is a person) and performs a world-modeling function that is actualized in the transitional periods of historical and cultural development. It functions as a heterotopy, overcoming the principle of binarity, suggesting the “opening of time” (a break with traditional, real time, the emergence of perceptual and mythological time), isolation and at the same time permeability of spaces (House, appearance, wrong side are only relatively closed and suggest the possibility of communication), which raises the question of the degree of reality or illusory nature of space through the creation of places-heteroclites (in the novel, this is the exterior, the wrong side, the forest, the mirror, human consciousness, etc.).

Formation of speech culture of primary schoolchildren by means of speech metaphoricity

Modern education and upbringing is characterized by qualitatively new requirements imposed by educational standards, not only for the content of the educational process, but also for the development of students’ personal qualities. The implementation of these requirements occurs in the process of improving the speech culture of primary schoolchildren. Thus, the development of speech culture of students in general and its expressiveness, in particular, is becoming one of the urgent problems of modern language education. One of the means of forming the expressiveness of speech is its metaphor. The mastery of the metaphor by primary schoolchildren as a way of transferring the name of one object to another with any similar sign develops their imaginative thinking, expands their vocabulary, develops the ability to select words, makes speech more spatial and fulfilling. The relevance of the article is determined by the need to form the speech culture of primary school children on the basis of the metaphorical nature of speech and the lack of undeveloped relevant scientifically grounded learning systems that make it possible to put this provision into practice. The purpose of the article is to determine some theoretical provisions of the problem and to present a methodological system for the formation of the speech culture of primary schoolchildren on the basis of the metaphorical nature of speech. The research methods used are theoretical analysis, analysis of the products of students’ activity, fixation of the educational process, pedagogical experiment. The authors presented the following provisions: the concepts of «speech culture», «expressiveness of speech», «metaphor» have been clarified; the indicators of the formation of skills in the field of metaphorical speech in junior schoolchildren have been determined, a methodological system for the formation of speech culture based on the metaphoricity of speech has been developed, the effectiveness of the proposed methodological system has been experimentally proved. The conclusions: the problem of improving the speech culture of students and, in particular, its expressiveness on the basis of metaphor is quite wide and diverse. Knowledge in the field of metaphorical speech helps younger students to achieve a higher level of development of speech culture.