A Cognitive Analysis Of Cicada Poems Of Tang Dynasty Based On Conceptual Integration Theory

In the1990s famous cognitive linguists Fauconnier and Turner put forward anddeveloped Conceptual Integration Theory (CIT)，which regards the conceptualintegration as an extremely common cognitive process and an important cognitivetool. This theory advocates analyzing linguistic phenomena based on dynamic mentalspace. The development of cognitive linguistics provides a new perspective for theinterpretation of ancient Chinese literature. As a prosperous period for poem creation，cicada image in literature reached summit in Tang Dynasty, not only a lot of cicadapoems emerged, but also some classic cicada poems have been conceived. Cicadapoems relfect the poet，s inner emotion upheaval and the social reality, which add deephistorical values to them. Analysis of cicada poems of Tang Dynasty based on CITcan vividly and visually present the process of meaning construction of these poems，providing a different comprehension perspective. It also implies us that it is helpful todraw on advanced linguistic theories from abroad and put forward some new ideas ororiginal insights to domestic linguistic studies. As is advocated by professor HuangGuowen(2007), to combine overseas and domestic linguistic studies in a cooperativemanner is mutually beneficial.This thesis employs the conceptual integration networks, compression relationsand mappings to explore the meaning interpretation of cicada poems. Conclusion canbe made as follows:Firstly, the four basic integration networks of CIT proposed by Fauconnier andTurner, that is, simplex network, mirror network, single-scope network anddouble-scope network can illustrate the process of meaning construction of cicadapoems of Tang Dynasty satisfactorily.Secondly,(1) In cicada poems, one input space is about cicada and one aboutpeople or cetrain emotion and feeling. Sometimes two input spaces are set up throughthe cicada’s singing.(2) The projection mappings，pragmatic function mappings andschema mappings all appear in the mappings among mental spaces. In cicada poems which express their feelings and aspiration, certain features of cicada in input space，such as appearing, singing，living habits and conditions are projected onto the poet’sexpressing sentiments，voicing their aspiration and unbosoming himself mainlythrough projection mappings, and schema mappings are also involved; in the cicadapoems which expresses philosophic thoughts，two input spaces are projected onto theblended space through schema mappings to telling insights on life; sometimes twoinput spaces are established through pragmatic function mappings.Thirdly, in the vital compression relation of mental spaces，there are morerelations such as time and space relation, change relation, similarity relation, categoryrelation，intentionality than others.(1) The cicada and people which do not exist in thesame time and space are compressed into a uniifed spatiotemporal;(2) Certaincharacteristics of cicada are projected onto the poet through similarity compression;(3) The poet’s hope, attitude and willingness are to be expressed throughintentionality compression, which is prevalent in cicada poems of Tang Dynasty.This thesis attempts to demonstrate the possibility and generalization ofConceptual Integration Theory in the aspects of meaning construction of cicadapoems, and regards that the process of constructing and interpreting a poem not onlyinvolves imagination and creation but also involves blending as a general cognitivemechanism and a way of thinking. This thesis also proves that the essence of CIT liesin how to construct and interpret an integrated, creative and emergent meaning morethan the sum of the parts.