A Cognitive Interpretation Of Ancient Chinese Poems And Lyrics From The Perspective Of Conceptual Blending Theory

On the theoretical basis of conceptual blending theory by Fauconnier, the core content or the main task of the study is to apply a theoretical framework of blending theory into the cognitive interpretation of ancient Chinese poems and lyrics. One focus or purpose of the study is to testify that conceptual blending as a basic cognitive mechanism not only has an explanatory power to the following linguistic phenomena: conceptual metaphor, event blending, category extension and counterfactual analogy, but also works as an effective, creative and indispensable cognitive device for meaning construction and discourse analysis. In particular, blending theory has both theoretical and practical value in ancient Chinese poetic discourse analysis. As the other focus, through the practice of interpreting ancient Chinese poems and lyrics, we aim at not only further testing the feasibility and applicability of blending theory to some degree, but also aim at providing a new cognitive perspective for domestic studies on ancient Chinese poems. The essential feature of blending theory is concerned with an emergent meaning more than the sum of the parts. Together with identity and imagination, blending or integration is regarded as a basic cognitive mechanism on the backstage and suggests the way of thinking. The studies on identity, blending and imagination are increasingly and consciously raised to a scientific level.The significance of the study lies in providing a theoretical framework or an approach for ancient Chinese poetic discourse analysis from the perspective of blending theory and tentatively making interdisciplinary and multidimensional studies related to cognitive linguistics, discourse analysis and poetic appreciation. It also implies that we, as linguistic researchers, had better draw on advanced linguistic theories from abroad and put forward some new ideas or original insights to domestic linguistic studies. As is advocated by Huang Guowen, to combine overseas and domestic studies in a cooperative manner is mutually beneficial. The study, by utilizing blending theory to interpret ancient Chinese poetic discourse, further indicates that studies on any linguistic phenomenon are after all for the purpose of revealing the way we think and the mind's hidden complexities. Conceptual blending as a basic cognitive operation on the backstage approaches the process of meaning construction in discourse analysis from a cognitive perspective, which is neglected by domestic studies on ancient Chinese poems. The previous studies on ancient Chinese poetic discourse are mainly conducted from the perspectives of literary criticism, stylistics, rhetoric and linguistics and focus on the artful and ideological features. That is why we single out the topic for the study. We hope to contribute to the application and the development of conceptual blending theory and open up new possibilities for interpreting ancient Chinese poems and lyrics from a cognitive perspective.This thesis consists of six chapters. In the opening chapter, we first introduce the topic of the study. On the basis of the review of literature, we indicate that conceptual blending theory provides a new perspective for the cognitive interpretation of ancient Chinese poems and lyrics and in turn the latter proposes a new applicable field to the former. And then we formulate a set of aims and significance for the study. The methodology and the data for the study are also stated. The final part of the chapter is to give an overview or preview of the whole organization of this thesis.Chapter Two constructs a theoretical framework of conceptual blending theory. It is composed of the theoretical background of blending theory, a minimal four-space blending model, some basic elements of blending operation, a four-type classification of blending networks, the constitutive and governing principles of conceptual blending and the latest development of blending theory.Chapter Three, as the preparation for practical application, briefly reviews and summarizes the relevant studies on ancient Chinese poems and lyrics from the aesthetic perspective, the socio-cultural perspective, and the rhetorical or stylistic perspective. These studies focus on the expressive function and the pragmatic function of poetic discourse. With the arising of cognitive poetics as a promising field, the focus of study increasingly shifts to the studies on the cognitive mechanism of meaning construction in poetic discourse analysis and justifies the feasibility and the necessity of the study.Chapter Four contributes to the application of blending theory into the practice of interpreting ancient Chinese poetic discourse from the aspects of imagery combination, figurative features, making coherence, drawing inference and creating emergent meanings. We illustrate the explanatory power of blending theory and testify its theoretical and practical value.Chapter Five is intended to be an application chapter. With three case studies, the chapter specifically demonstrates the interpretative power of blending theory in analyzing ancient Chinese poetic discourse. To some degree, it realizes the combination between a cognitive theory of conceptual blending and the practice of discourse analysis.In the final chapter, as a brief conclusion or a summary, the explanatory power of blending theory is restated and the significance of the study is emphasized. Then, the limitations of the study are presented as well as some suggestions or prospects for future research.To sum up, throughout the study, we try to expound blending theory and its explanatory power to ancient Chinese poems and lyrics. The way of study provides a new angle and a beneficial attempt for the theoretical development of blending theory and the practical discourse analysis of ancient Chinese poems and lyrics. Conceptual blending as a basic cognitive mechanism is inevitably helpful to understand language, cognition, thought and human being.