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Article published In: Cognitive Linguistic Studies
Vol. 11:2 (2024) ► pp.334–369

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Metaphorical richness

A corpus study of money metaphors in English and Chinese language

 | Southwest University
ORCiD logo with link | Southwest University
Published online: 10 October 2024
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/cogls.00123.wen
Abstract
The present study probes into a comparative study of metaphorical expressions of money in English and Chinese. By hiring corpus-based methodology, this article aims to gain insight into the universality and variation of money-related conceptual metaphors manifested in corresponding linguistic expressions in English and Chinese. Drawing on the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, the findings unravel a significant overlay in money-related conceptual metaphors between English and Chinese, upholding a notch of acclaim. Additionally, a small part of money-related conceptual metaphors is specific in a certain kind of language, either in English or Chinese. Meanwhile, the present study tends to explore metaphorical conceptualizations of money primarily based on common bodily experiences, and thus, most money-related conceptual metaphors are universal in English and Chinese, while the variations in English and Chinese can be explained by cultural experiences. Consequently, this research contributes to our understanding of the interplay between conceptual unit schematicity and embodiment hierarchy. Moreover, it bids valued insights for future comparative studies on conceptual metaphors spanning diverse languages and cultures.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Theoretical foundations
  • 3.Methodology
    • 3.1Data collection
    • 3.2Metaphor identification procedures
  • 4.Results
    • 4.1money metaphors in English
      • Condition 1.money as a target domain in English
        • money is a deity
        • money is a human being
        • money is food
        • money is a part of a plant
        • money is an animal
        • money is a building
        • money is a container
        • money is an object
        • money is a fire/music
      • Condition 2.money as a source domain in English
        • enablement is money
        • time is money
        • a human being is money/gold
    • 4.2money metaphors in Chinese
      • Condition 1.money as target domain in Chinese
        • money is a deity
        • money is a human being
        • money is an animal
        • money is a part of a plant
        • money is food
        • money is a building
        • money is a container
        • money is an object
        • money is soil
      • Condition 2.money as a source domain in Chinese
        • enablement is money
        • a human being is money
        • time is money
        • music is money
        • a good article is money
        • a good relationship is money
    • 4.3The universality and variation of money metaphors in English and Chinese
  • 5.Discussion
    • 5.1Common experiential groundings on universal money metaphors in English and Chinese
    • 5.2Cross-cultural groundings on variations in money metaphors in English and Chinese
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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