On Metaphor Translation From The Perspective Of Conceptual Metaphor

Since the1970s, researches on metaphor have been increasingly framed by theperspective of cognitive linguistics rather than traditional rhetoric. Some different theorieson metaphor studies came into being in the western world: domains-interaction theory;Lakoff&Johnson’s conceptual metaphor theory; Fauconnier&Johnson’s conceptualblending theory etc (Xu Hongzhang,2007). Among these theories, conceptual metaphortheory is chosen as the most suitable to be applied to the analysis of metaphors in poetrylike The Book of Poetry.With the cognitive turn in metaphor studies, the natural relationship betweenconceptual metaphor and metaphorical expressions can be approached from the perspectiveof cognitive linguistics which is arguably a more illuminating approach. Thus,systematicity and cultural coherence, as two key features of conceptual metaphor, has agreat influence on its translation.This thesis aims to apply these two key features to the exemplified research onmetaphor translation (a case study on Xu Yuanchong’s translation The Book of Poetry).Specifically, this thesis analyzes two typical metaphorical systems in The Book of Poetry,that is, the female system and the love and marriage system. Furthermore, four translationstrategies are put forward in the light of systematicity and cultural coherence, and theirrespective advantages and disadvantages are elaborated with the examples quoted fromBook of Poetry. Whatever strategy the translator employs, the goal is to achievesystematicity and cultural coherence.The research in this thesis has reinforced the idea that a cognitive linguistics approachto the study of metaphor translation is more than necessary. The exemplified study hasenriched the translation study of the great work, and has proved that conceptual metaphortheory is applicable and efficient.