Analysis Of Catchwords From The Perspective Of Conceptual Blending Theory

Catchword refers to those widely and quickly spread words or expressions in acertain period, area or group in China or even the whole world. Catchword is one ofthe most vital parts of the Chinese vocabulary. The data are collected mainly fromnetwork, newspapers, magazines and the related theses. Based on the data, thisresearch makes a systematic study of the catchwords from the perspective ofConceptual Blending Theory (CBT). It aims to explore the formation types, andsemantic features.Conceptual Blending Theory (CBT) is the common cognitive operation in humanlanguages. Based on the Conceptual Blending Theory (CBT) proposed by Fauconnierand Turner, this paper attempts to analyze the most popular catchwords. This analysisdemonstrates that Conceptual Blending Theory (CBT) could provide a new theoreticalviewpoint for the meaning construction, innovation and comprehension in catchwordswith its remarkable feature of constructing non-traditional novel meaning on-line forlocal purposes of thought and action. The development of the catchwords proves thefeasibility of the Conceptual Blending Theory (CBT). This paper explains thecognitive mechanisms of the catchwords which only include words and neglects otherswhich need further studies.This study shows that the creation of the catchwords is the outcome of linguisticchoices under the adaptation to social, psychological and cultural factors. With thedevelopment of society, there will be more and more catchwords. To understand andgrasp the rules on contemporary catchwords helps us learn and use catchwordsefficiently. Besides, to track the catchwords used in a society is very important andvaluable. Firstly, it can reflect the development track and direction of the society, sincetheir social-cultural features. Secondly catchwords are part of the language, that‘s tosay that they have great value for lexical study of modern Chinese. So the study ofcatchwords has the linguistic, social and cultural values.Catchwords include words, phrases, patterns and sentences. This paper onlystudies the words and phrases. Patterns and sentences are not included.