Search Results
Abstract
This chapter focuses on cross-linguistic patterning of metonymies and metonymic-metaphoric chains involved in mapping from the body part ‘head’ onto mental and social activity domains which particularly favor such conceptualizations due to high expressiveness of figurative “embodied” language. It will be demonstrated that certain metonymies are cross-linguistically very common, e.g. HEAD FOR PERSON, HEAD FOR RULER/IMPORTANT PERSON, HEAD FOR REASON/INTELLIGENCE, while others are encountered only in specific cultural settings, e. g. HEAD FOR A KIN, HEAD FOR LANGUAGE. In addition, many conceptualizations are based on a common general schema which is modified in a culture-specific way. In general terms, the findings contribute to research on metonymy and shed light on the interplay of embodiment, cognitive universals and specific cultural models.
Abstract
The chapter focuses on semantic extensions of the Polish ‘eye’ lexeme and its morphological diminutive using corpus and Cognitive Linguistics methodologies. It is demonstrated that each of the two lexemes can be a source domain for mapping onto a number of similar target domains. However, when frequency criteria are taken into account, the overall patterns of extensions are very different for each lexeme. This poses questions about the role of morphology in reducing polysemy of body part terms and lexicalization of certain extended senses towards higher salience and autonomy.
Abstract
This contribution focuses on the Polish lexeme serce ‘heart’ as a source domain for conceptualization. The research is based on phraseological material, as well as on language usage strategies and frequency criteria determined by corpus methodologies. Taking into account the former kind of evidence, it can be demonstrated that serce is mapped onto various target domains creating a relatively broad semantic network which resembles those of some other languages (e.g. English, Swahili). However, the examination of corpus concordances and collocations leads to a different picture, with a strong entrenchment of serce as a metaphorical container for emotions (especially those valued positively) and metonymic extensions based on this image schema. It is also argued that the Polish-specific cultural model, with conspicuous underrepresentation of other senses of ‘heart’, has emerged relatively recently in language history.
Case studies contribute first-hand data on embodiment from more than 15 languages and present findings on the body in language in diverse cultures from various continents. Embodiment fundamentally underlies human conceptualization and the present discussions reveal a wide range of target domains in conceptual transfers with the body as the source domain.
Case studies contribute first-hand data on embodiment from more than 15 languages and present findings on the body in language in diverse cultures from various continents. Embodiment fundamentally underlies human conceptualization and the present discussions reveal a wide range of target domains in conceptual transfers with the body as the source domain.