Conceptual Integration Theory And Its Application To Metaphor Study

Conceptual integration theory(CIT),proposed by Gilles Fauconnier and Mark Turner,has recently contributed greatly to the interpretation of the dynamic on-line meaning construction process of language.Lately,CIT has been extended into many cognitive domains,such as the poems,dramas,films and narrative prose,etc.This thesis applies CIT into the analysis of meaning construction in the metaphors of Mao's poems,which explores the hidden cognitive mechanism involved in the interpretation of metaphor.Besides,it attempts to further demonstrate the conceptual integration theory's explanatory power on the metaphor analysis and open up a wider perspective on the application of conceptual integration theory simultaneously.Metaphor,which bears a large number of the hidden meanings from the poet,has long been treated as a necessary component to construct meaning in the poems.In Mao's poems,the poet expresses his emotions,ideas and resolutions thoroughly by way of numerous metaphorical images.This thesis proceeds by categorizing metaphors into three groups in accordance with the classification of metaphorical images,that is,natural phenomena,social activities and mankind creations,and then delving into them through CIT.Based on the analyses of Mao's four poems, which are respectively composed in Mao's different periods of lifetime,the author has achieved three tentative conclusions:1) the interpretation of metaphor is a blending process.The integration networks,consisting of conventional parts,conventionally-structured parts,and novel mappings and compressions,can be further utilized to undercover the invisible process of meaning construction in metaphor;2) while correlated with complicated cultural and historical background,double-scope integration networks,which typically exploit clashes,offer the possibility of rich clashes.Far from blocking the construction of the network,such clashes offer challenges to the imagination,resulting blends can be indeed highly creative.It is crucial in the process of metaphor interpretation;3) the metaphor in Mao's poems reveals the great creative ideas of the poet and the extensive innovative capacity of the reader within the conceptual integration networks in interpreting poems.