Interpreting Chinese Metaphors Into English Based On The Conceptual Metaphor Theory

Since the appearance of the conceptual metaphor theory, the study of metaphor has been a part of the studies of cognitive linguistics. Applying the idea that metaphor is a way of thinking, Chinese and western scholars have studied metaphor from a cognitive perspective. Metaphor is not merely learned as a kind of figurative speech. People’s concept influences the way in which metaphor is created and understood. According to the conceptual metaphor theory put forward by Lakoff and Johnson, this thesis contrasts inner mechanism between Chinese and English. Proposing the idea that metaphor is a way of thinking can be extended to the point that interpretation of metaphor from Chinese into English is a way of thinking also, this thesis attempts to discover the matter which influences metaphor interpreting in nature. In the process of writing this thesis, the following research questions have been contemplated.Question1:What is the essence of metaphor interpreting?Question2:How does this essence affect metaphor interpreting? This thesis proposes metaphor interpreting principles according to which metaphor interpreting strategies are offered, so as to enhance the study of metaphor interpretation theories.There are six chapters in this thesis. Chapter one gives a brief introduction to research background, questions, methodology and layout of the thesis. Chapter two presents a literature review. The development of metaphor theory, recent studies of metaphor interpreting theories and strategies are introduced respectively. Some limitations of the previous studies are pointed out in this chapter. Chapter three gives out theoretical framework. Conceptual metaphor theory is applied to analyze the creating and understanding of metaphor which bears a close relation with human’s concept. Metaphor interpreting is an activity transferring concept between Chinese and English people. Chapter four analyzes differences between Chinese and English metaphors, the reasons for the differences, and metaphor interpreting principles and strategies. Chapter five is the application significance of these principles. Standards are offered to judge these principles. Chapter six summarizes the achievements of this thesis and answers two research questions systematically. What follows are limitations of this thesis and points for further research.