Cognitive Study On Lingui-Metaphor Operationalization In Chinese And English

Metaphor, as an important topic in the research of rhetoric, has enjoyed a long discussion. The new cognitive approach further broadens our understanding to the nature of metaphor. However, either of these two approaches cannot be devalued but should be integrated to mirror the properties of metaphor operationalization. Therefore, these two approaches to the understanding of metaphor are not contradictory but complementary in practice. Rhetoric approach reflects the features of linguistic operation, and cognitive approach brings to light the conceptual nature of metaphor. On the basis of these two approaches, this study endeavors to investigate the cognitive properties of metaphorization from the perspectives of linguistic categories, syntax and conceptual modes, centering on the internally operationalized mechanisms, forming principles, and the externally situational and cultural mappings upon metaphorical interpretation. This study is also tentatively to explore the interaction and the integration between linguistic operations and cognitive value in metaphor operationalization. It reaches the conclusion that linguistic selections are not at random but closely associated with human cognitive activities, and the conceptual nature of metaphor is manifested through linguistic and cognitive interaction.This study firstly traces back to the historical development of metaphor researches in both Chinese and English contexts. Historically speaking, western researches on metaphor originate from Rhetoric and Poetics by Aristotle; Chinese researches are initiated from voluminous rhetorical thoughts in Pre-Qin Dynasty. With the advancement of the researches, researches in the West deepen into the analysis from semantic, pragmatic and even cognitive angles to unravel the nature of metaphor. However, Chinese researches of metaphor are still retained to the rhetorical discussions, subsumed under the study of Biyu. Not until recent times, has the cognitive understanding been considered. But this direction is still on the threshold.Then, this study sheds much light upon metaphor operationalization from the categorial, syntactical and conceptual strata to investigate the interior operationalmechanism and exterior connection with the socio-cultural mappings on metaphor. The demarcation of macro-metaphor and micro-metaphor integrates the linguistic features with human cognitive tendencies. The deep structure and the surface structure of metaphor unite metaphorical concepts with linguistic instantiations, highlighting the cognitive properties of metaphor in language.Finally, this study explicates the importance of the dynamics and integration of metaphor operationalization from the theoretical perspective. It is the dynamic and integrative processes that are carried out through the three strata (linguistic categories, syntax and concepts).