Conceptual Metaphor Research Articles

Метафорическая концептуализация в текстах международных документов на примере аутентичных текстов Парижского соглашения по климату (2015 г.) на русском, английском и французском языках

The research aims to determine the role of metaphorical concepts in establishing the degree of equivalence of units in authentic texts with invariant content represented by an international treaty in Russian, English, and French from the perspective of the cognitive approach. The article examines authentic texts of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2015), a significant international document reflecting the efforts of states to combat global climate change, in the aforementioned languages, taking into account the correspondences of metaphorical concepts and methods of their verbalization identified in the document’s text. The research is novel in that it is the first one to identify the features of equivalence of metaphorical concepts in the texts of international treaties, whose authenticity was established in Russian, English, and French. As a result, it was found that the concepts and methods of their verbalization predominantly coincide in the texts in Russian, English, and French. However, it is worth noting that a greater number of conceptual metaphors verbalized in the text is characteristic of the document in English, while a smaller number is characteristic of the document in French.

Figurativeness of the Japanese flag

Abstract The analysis offered in this article applies the multilevel approach to conceptual metaphor to relief posters, created and distributed widely after the massive Japan 2011 earthquake. The aim of the analysis is to show in what way the multilevel approach to metaphor can be used to illustrate how the figurative meaning of relief posters emerges from the interactions between different levels of schematicity: from basic image schemas and domains, through contextually embedded semantic frames, finishing with metaphorical scenarios at the highest level of specificity and complexity. The present analysis also shows the potential applicability of image schemas as the guiding analytical element, serving as the departure point for the unfolding metaphorical and metonymical interpretation of a multimodal message. Accordingly, it has been shown how the image schemas of part-whole, full-empty, process and force aid the analysis of metaphoricity and how the central metonymic element of the national flag co-constructs the figurative reading of the posters.

Head metonymies and metaphors in Jordanian and Tunisian Arabic: an extended conceptual metaphor theory perspective

Head metonymies and metaphors in Jordanian and Tunisian Arabic: an extended conceptual metaphor theory perspective

A Cognitive Semantic Account of the Preposition “‘bra” in Modern Standard Arabic with Reference to the English “Through”

Prepositions are crucial grammatical devices for indicating location, movement, time, and other meanings. A case in point is the Arabic preposition “‘abra,” which expresses different spatial, temporal, and abstract meanings. Adopting a cognitive semantic perspective, this study investigates ‘abra, its diverse spatial meanings, and metaphorical extensions. It also uses cognitive constructs such as image schemas, prototypes, and conceptual metaphor to demonstrate how various senses of ‘abra can be described based on perceptual properties and cognitive characteristics. In addition, this study compares the meanings of ‘abra with those of its English equivalent (through). This research uses authentic examples from Modern Standard Arabic available through the Sketch Engine website and illustrations created by the researcher. The analytical description involves the basic schema, the prototypical meaning, and the metaphorical extensions. The findings reveal that ‘abra and “through” share a basic image schema and prototypical sense with slight differences resulting from varying conceptualizations. The metaphorical extensions are also similar. The distinctions between the two mostly pertain to the semantic scope in addition to the fact that ‘abra also covers the meaning of the preposition “across.” Generally, this analysis asserts that prepositional meanings are best described using a cognitive semantic framework. The results may be useful in the fields of lexicon, second learning and teaching, as well as translation.

A Study of Metaphor Translation Strategies in C-E Translation of The Seventh Day

Purpose: Taking the English translation of Yu Hua s novel The Seventh Day as a case study, this paper analyzes the metaphorical effects in literary works and examines the metaphor translation strategies employed in the English translation of The Seventh Day to provide insights for the metaphor translation. Methodology: Elaborating on the cultural implications of metaphors in the original text and using conceptual metaphor theory as a research framework, specific metaphor translation cases in its English translation are studied. Results: Through the study of the original text of The Seventh Day, it is found that the author employs various metaphorical rhetorical devices, imbuing the work with profound philosophical meanings and cultural nuances. Analysis of its translation reveals that translators utilize various strategies to handle metaphors, balancing the literary flavor and cultural implications with the acceptance of target language readers. However, challenges arise in fully conveying the deep meanings of certain metaphors due to cultural differences and differences in language expression habits. Conclusion: Metaphorical language often carries cultural characteristics. To achieve effective metaphor translation, translators should prioritize serving readers, deeply understand the cultural backgrounds of both source and target languages, and employ flexible translation techniques to faithfully convey the style and emotions of the original work.

Conceptual metaphors in international agreements representing ecological discourse (as exemplified in protocol on strategic environmental assessment in Russian, English and French)

Conceptual metaphors in international agreements representing ecological discourse (as exemplified in protocol on strategic environmental assessment in Russian, English and French)

Conceptual Metaphor Analysis of the Word Aram (Virtue) in Thirukkural

Conceptual Metaphor Analysis of the Word Aram (Virtue) in Thirukkural

CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AI DEVELOPMENT IN THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

The whirlwind advent of ChatGPT in 2022 has marked a new age of artificial intelligence (AI), the general name for the technology that combines computer technology, big data bases and machines. This AI technology quickly makes its presence felt with hundreds of popular programs and chatbots such as the portrait-making AI diffusion art and the thesis-writing ChatGPT. This paper investigates the conceptual metaphors representing AI and AI development in The Guardian, a UK-based newspaper, to figure out how this technology and its growth have been introduced to ordinary people via mass media. Employing the Conceptual Metaphor Theory proposed by Lakoff & Johnson (1980), this study found three AI-related conceptual metaphors, namely, AI IS A HUMAN BEING, AI IS AN ANIMAL and AI IS A NATURAL FORCE, which are realized by more than 100 linguistic expressions across 33 news articles. Also, this research found five conceptual metaphors related to AI development, namely AI DEVELOPMENT IS WAR, AI DEVELOPMENT IS A RACE, AI DEVELOPMENT IS A CONVERSATION, AI DEVELOPMENT IS A DANCE, AI DEVELOPMENT IS A GAME and these metaphors are manifested by approximately 40 linguistic expressions. This paper discusses the way that these metaphors could influence the way people and technology companies think about AI and AI development.

Peer-Interaction – collaborative learning to foster and observe conceptional transformation in science education

ABSTRACT Dealing with students’ conceptions is a central element of student-oriented teaching. Approaches, such as the mainly cognitive conceptual change theory, have been supplemented by a variety of affective and motivational factors. Little is yet known about the mechanism linking these factors. This qualitative study aims to shed light on the process of conceptual transformation. In order to study changes in conceptions, the Peer-Interaction-Method (PIM) was used. Students with different conceptions were matched to create a content related conflict. Learners were given an assignment on the topic of plant nutrition and asked to collaborate to develop a jointly supported solution. The expressions of the participants were examined from the perspective of the conceptual metaphor theory. Our data analysis makes it possible to visualise the learning process of the students and to explain its cause. The results suggest that instead of a conflict over content a social conflict shapes the development of the collaboration process. Overall, it was found that the PIM turns out to be a fruitful way of dealing with heterogeneity in conceptions. To provide the necessary infrastructure for the matching of learners with different conceptions in the school context, a digital plug-in for moodle e-learning platforms was developed.

Immorality backward, morality forward? Metaphorical morality in Chinese-English bilinguals.

This study explored whether instructing participants to make forward or backward joystick movements in response to morality words is consistent with the conceptual metaphor MORAL IS MOVING FORWARD/IMMORAL IS MOVING BACKWARD in Chinese-English bilinguals' first and second languages. Chinese-English bilinguals were instructed to categorize words as moral or immoral while moving a joystick in a compatible block (moral-forward, immoral-backward) and an incompatible block (moral-backward, immoral-forward). The results revealed three main conclusions: First, participants showed faster categorization of immoral words when their responses involved backward joystick movements compared to forward joystick movements. Second, participants also demonstrated a slightly faster categorization of moral words when their responses involved backward joystick movements compared to forward joystick movements. Third, Chinese morality words were categorized faster overall than English morality words. However, despite a slightly larger effect size observed in L1, the action compatibility effects for morality words exhibited a similar pattern across both languages. In sum, bilinguals showed shared access to the IMMORAL IS MOVING BACKWARD conceptual metaphor across both L1 and L2, but they did not access the MORAL IS MOVING FORWARD conceptual metaphor in either L1 or L2. This study provides new evidence supporting the conceptual metaphor theory.

Navigating gendered spaces: a feminist phenomenological exploration of women entrepreneurs lived experiences within government support agencies

PurposeThis article explores women entrepreneurs' lived experiences in their interactions with government enterprise support agencies. It investigates the relationship between gendering and Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), as a normative orientation adopted at the institutional level and justified by an economic rationale. It also explores how women entrepreneurs articulate their experiences through embodied metaphors and image schemas, shedding light on how they navigate the institutional entrepreneurial space.Design/methodology/approachThis study is framed within the concept of Phenomenological Orientation as conceptualised in feminist phenomenology. It applies Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, a qualitative methodology focused on interpreting accounts of first-person lived experiences of a phenomenon. It combines IPA with Conceptual Metaphor Theory to understand women's articulation of their embodied relationship within the entrepreneurial space.FindingsFindings reveal that the entrepreneurial orientation functions as a gendering process within entrepreneurial institutions, reinforcing masculine hegemonic ideals and marginalising women entrepreneurs. Women's phenomenological orientations often diverge from the normative entrepreneurial orientation, highlighting the need for a more inclusive framework in institutional entrepreneurial spaces.Research limitations/implicationsThis article contributes to women's entrepreneurship literature by underlining the temporal dimension of entrepreneurship and the tension that underpins their interactions with government support bodies. It calls for inclusive policies and procedures to match the heterogeneity of orientations. While highlighting its limitations, it also suggests future research directions to deepen the understanding of entrepreneurship and inform more suitable support structures for all entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the nuanced interplay between gendering, entrepreneurial orientation, and women entrepreneurs' lived experiences. It extends previous research by framing “orientation” within a temporality framework, offering a novel perspective on the gendering of entrepreneurial spaces.

The Power of Metaphor in the Representation of Mental Images in the Language of Tourism Print Advertising: Lakoff and Johnson’s Model of Conceptual Metaphor

The Power of Metaphor in the Representation of Mental Images in the Language of Tourism Print Advertising: Lakoff and Johnson’s Model of Conceptual Metaphor

A Review of Social Semiotics in the Interaction of Text and Image

As the major form of anti-epidemic promotion in network media, anti-epidemic promotion picture applies diversified multi-modal symbol resources in the construction of meaning. By exploring the interactive relationship between visual grammar and conceptual metaphor/metonymy, a joint multimodal research framework is created to clarify the meaning construction and mechanism contained in anti-epidemic pictures. The research shows that conceptual metaphor and conceptual metonymy not only provide cognitive motivation for the realization of visual grammar, but also inspire the associations of images to the real world. Visual Grammar highlights the cognitive meaning expression of conceptual metaphor and metonymy, stimulates readers’ interpretation of conceptual metaphor and metonymy. The research explores the combination of two mainstream multimodal research paths, and provides a new perspective for multimodal discourse analysis practice.

Multimodal Meaning Construction of Anti-Pandemic Promotion Picture from the Semiotic-Congnitive Perspective

As the major form of anti-epidemic promotion in network media, anti-epidemic promotion picture applies diversified multi-modal symbol resources in the construction of meaning. By exploring the interactive relationship between visual grammar and conceptual metaphor/metonymy, a joint multimodal research framework is created to clarify the meaning construction and mechanism contained in anti-epidemic pictures. The research shows that conceptual metaphor and conceptual metonymy not only provide cognitive motivation for the realization of visual grammar, but also inspire the associations of images to the real world. Visual Grammar highlights the cognitive meaning expression of conceptual metaphor and metonymy, stimulates readers’ interpretation of conceptual metaphor and metonymy. The research explores the combination of two mainstream multimodal research paths, and provides a new perspective for multimodal discourse analysis practice.

On the construal of MUSIC IS MOTION metaphor

Abstract TIME IS MOTION can be construed in two models. One is the Ego-based, the other is Time-based so as to form three time metaphors, MOVING TIME, TIME’S LANDSCAPE, and TEMPORAL SEQUENCE. When construing musical motion, people tend to borrow this conceptual framework and get three musical metaphors, i.e. MOVING MUSIC, MUSICAL LANDSCAPE, and MUSICAL SEQUENCE. The MUSICAL SEQUENCE metaphor falls into three categories, i.e. SEQUENCE IS THE RELATIVE POSITION ON THE TIME PATH, ON THE PITCH PATH, and ON THE KEY PATH. Time Metaphor and the Event Structure Metaphor jointly construct the two construal models for the metaphor MUSIC IS MOTION. This study tries to validate the previous research on conceptual construals in such a new field as music so as to enlarge the research range of the conceptual metaphor theory and provide reference for the subsequent research on music.

Conceptual Blending Theory: The Case of ‘Flying Bus’ from Turkish

Based on current discussions on Conceptual Blending/Integration Theory (CIT) and Conceptual metaphor Theory (CMT), this study investigates the application of Conceptual Blending Theory to a Turkish scenario where a Turkish speaker conceptualises a dangerously speeding bus as flying and associates it with Turkish Airlines. The study emphasizes the role of conceptual blending in creating novel meanings online by integrating disparate conceptual elements, as well as highlighting the complementary nature of CIT and CMT in meaning construction. In our scenario, the speaker’s metaphoric utterance as a reaction to the overspeed of a bus was explained by the metaphor TOO FAST DRIVING IS FLYING, which inherits the superordinate metaphor FAST MOTION IS FLIGHT, which is entrenched in our cultural cognition. Through a conceptual blending network mentally activated by the conceptualisation of the speeding bus as if flying, we illustrated how selected elements from the source (bus and driver) and target (plane and pilot) spaces were projected onto the blended space. It was also shown that Vital Relations within the blending network like Space, Role, and Disanalogy compressed the relevant counterparts from the source and target spaces into new integrated concepts to create novel meanings in the emergent structure, emphasizing the danger involved in the situation in the scenario.

Dynamic or static? The effect of food imagery on menus on perceived food energy and purchase intention

Food menus frequently employ dynamic imagery to show their offerings, yet a consensus regarding its impact on perceived food attributes and purchase intentions remains elusive. Drawing on stimulus-organism-response theory, we constructed a theoretical framework in which dynamic imagery on food menus influences purchase intention through food attribute evaluation. In addition, based on the conceptual metaphor theory, we proposed that dynamic imagery on food menus may influence customers’ attribute evaluations of food energy. This study conducted four experiments, revealing that the use of dynamic imagery to display food on a menu led customers to perceive the food as having a higher energy level. This effect was observed in high-energy-density foods but not in low-energy-density foods. And this effect is also absent when the nutritional information of the food on the menu is salient. In addition, we found that customers’ dietary goals moderated the effect of dynamic imagery on purchase intention through perceived food energy. When customers had functional and hedonic goals (self-controlled goals), the need for food energy was higher (lower), and dynamic imagery elicited higher (lower) purchase intentions.

Kto jest szczupakiem w czeskim stawie? Metafora pojęciowa polityka to staw w czeskim dyskursie politycznym

In this article, the author analyzes the conceptual metaphors politics is a pond, a politician is a carp and a politician is a pike in Czech political discourse. The investigation is based on the theory of conceptual metaphor and follows the principles of ethnolinguistics and cognitive linguistics. The author shows how the specific features of these conceptual metaphors relate to the Czech linguistic worldview and proposes metaphorical mapping that conveys salient features of the target domain (politics and politicians). The conceptual metaphor politics is a pond helps the speaker to depict a problematic domestic political situation that needs to be changed. The metaphors a politician is a carp and a politician is a pike are usually used to create the “friend-foe” opposition in political discourse. The conceptual metaphor a politician is a carp discloses the passivity and laziness of politicians and their inability or unwillingness to change the current situation. On the other hand, the conceptual metaphor a politician is a pike can be used to indicate both the positive qualities of a politician (activity, energy, initiative) and the negative ones (greed, selfishness, cruelty). The use of culturally specific conceptual metaphors allows a politician to establish close contact with the audience to increase the number of loyal voters.

Disease as a Medium: Exploring the Metaphorical Turn and Discourse Changes in Chinese AIDS Films (1988–2023)

ABSTRACT Interpreting the visual and narrative discourse of AIDS in popular culture is pivotal in communication and cultural studies. However, there is a notable research gap concerning the narrative evolution in Chinese AIDS films. This study investigates the shifts in narrative perspectives and visual representations of people living with HIV in Chinese cinema, using conceptual metaphor theory and textual analysis. It identifies a metaphorical transition in societal perceptions of people living with HIV—evolving from “abjection politics” representing them as “criminals” through “compassionate politics” depicting them as “vulnerable” to “touching politics” celebrating them as “heroes.” This transition is intertwined with China's modernisation, mirroring changes in social structures and power relations. The research highlights the relationship between historical context and narrative truth in disease representation by using critical discourse analysis and drawing on Foucauldian power-knowledge concepts. The study reveals how AIDS narratives in film reflect broader socio-political shifts within China's modernising landscape, emphasising the intricate connection between power, knowledge, and disease portrayal. By tracing the discursive evolution in Chinese AIDS films, the research illuminates the dynamics of China's socio-political environment and underscores the multifaceted complexities inherent in disease narratives amidst societal modernisation.

Metaphors in Teaching Dilemmas Conveyed by First-Year Science Teachers in Online Mentoring Dialogues

This study explored online mentoring dialogues of first-year science teachers (FYSTs) to construct a model that was informed by metaphors in teaching dilemmas. Nine teachers’ yearlong threaded dialogues were archived and first analyzed by Windschitl’s (2002) four dilemma categories, and later by Lakoff and Johnson’s (2003) conceptual metaphor theory. Particularly, we charted conceptual metaphor systems and schematic elements of FYSTs’ teaching practices in conceptual, pedagogical, cultural, and political dilemma categories using computer-mediated discourse analysis. Findings indicated that the FYSTs’ mentoring dialogues were predominantly pedagogical dilemmas (64.34%), mostly related to mastering the art of facilitation. The conceptual metaphors and schematic elements include a) “Teaching is a trip” within a path schema, b) “Teaching is a race” within an up-down and more-less visual field schema, c) “Teaching is policing” within a sanctioned land schema, and d) “Teaching is building a house” within a construction site schema. This study contributes to the understanding of challenging factors that FYSTs encounter and also illustrates the functionality of the conceptual metaphors for teacher effectiveness.