Metaphor and culture

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Asian Social Science

Publication Date

1-2009

Volume

5

Issue

1

First Page

47

Last Page

69

Publisher

Canadian Center of Science and Education

Keywords

Qian Zhongshu, Umberto Eco, Theory of metaphor, Chinese symbolism

Abstract

The first part of this paper revisits Qian Zhongshu’s theory of vehicular diversity and multivalency in an attempt to question the plausibility and necessity of postulating conceptual metaphors that have dominated so much of our contemporary discussions of metaphor. Using examples from both Chinese and English, it tries to show that conceptual metaphors are nothing more than linguists’ meta-metaphorical constructs whose number could proliferate towards infinity due to the polysemic nature of figurative expressions. It also argues that lower-level semantic associations between the vehicle and the tenor are sufficient for explaining the existence or the emergence of a metaphor. The second part of this paper goes on to demonstrate the inseparable relationship between metaphor and culture and, by analyzing the Chinese folk custom of well-wishing and Chinese scholars’ penchant for certain kinds of plants in decorating their homes and offices, to reveal two predominant metaphorical patterns that lie behind what seems to be a kaleidoscope of symbols.

DOI

10.5539/ass.v5n1p47

Print ISSN

19112017

E-ISSN

19112025

Publisher Statement

Copyright © Canadian Center of Science and Education.

Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Ding, E. (2009). Metaphor and culture. Asian Social Science, 5(1), 47-69. doi: 10.5539/ass.v5n1p47

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