THE ROLE OF METAPHOR IN CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING
Keywords:
abstract concepts, abstract domains, categorization, cognitive function, cognitive linguistics, cognitive mechanisms, cognition, conceptual metaphor theory, conceptual understanding, empirical studies, everyday language, language, Lakoff and Johnson, linguistic expressions, metaphor, perception, perception and judgment, theoretical backgroundAbstract
Metaphor, traditionally viewed as a rhetorical flourish in language, plays a fundamental role in shaping human thought and conceptual understanding. This article explores the pervasive influence of metaphorical thinking beyond its literary origins, arguing that metaphors are not merely linguistic expressions but cognitive tools that structure and facilitate human understanding of the world. Drawing on cognitive linguistics theory, particularly the work of Lakoff and Johnson (1980), this article delves into the conceptual metaphor theory (CMT), illustrating how metaphors influence perception, categorization, and the conceptualization of abstract domains.
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References
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