Contrastive analysis of the conceptual metaphor LIFE IS A JOURNEY in English and its equivalents in Vietnamese
Contrastive Analysis of the Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY in English and its Equivalent in Vietnamese
Department of English
Ho Chi Minh University of Education
Instructor: Bui Nguyen Khanh
Ho Chi Minh City, June 19th, 2013
1
I. ABSTRACT
Since its introduction in 1980, the publication “Metaphors We Live By” by Mark Johnson and George
Lackoff has successfully persuaded the readers to see all metaphors in a new light. The 1980 classic maintains that metaphorical expressions are not idiosyncratic but rather systematically reflect conceptual metaphors in our mental reasoning. As we think, we talk and we act, whether intentionally and unconsciously, we all rely on a large number of conceptual metaphors.
The objective of this study is to compare the conceptual metaphor LIFE IS A JOURNEY in English and Vietnamese using the theory of conceptual metaphor as theoretical framework. The rationale behind this is that LIFE is a basic but rather complicated concept for every man and every culture.
Through comparison and by contrast, I hope to find out major similarities and significant differences in the way English and Vietnamese use this metaphorical concept in everyday language; thus, have better understanding of English and Vietnamese language, culture, and patterns of thinking before being able to draw some practical conclusions in the field of English teaching.
2
II. CONTENTS
I. ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2
II. CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
III. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
LIFE IS A JOURNEY in English and its Equivalent in Vietnamese
Department of English
Ho Chi Minh University of Education
Instructor: Bui Nguyen Khanh
Ho Chi Minh City, June 19th, 2013
1
I. ABSTRACT
Since its introduction in 1980, the publication “Metaphors We Live By” by Mark Johnson and George
Lackoff has successfully persuaded the readers to see all metaphors in a new light. The 1980 classic maintains that metaphorical expressions are not idiosyncratic but rather systematically reflect conceptual metaphors in our mental reasoning. As we think, we talk and we act, whether intentionally and unconsciously, we all rely on a large number of conceptual metaphors.
The objective of this study is to compare the conceptual metaphor LIFE IS A JOURNEY in English and Vietnamese using the theory of conceptual metaphor as theoretical framework. The rationale behind this is that LIFE is a basic but rather complicated concept for every man and every culture.
Through comparison and by contrast, I hope to find out major similarities and significant differences in the way English and Vietnamese use this metaphorical concept in everyday language; thus, have better understanding of English and Vietnamese language, culture, and patterns of thinking before being able to draw some practical conclusions in the field of English teaching.
2
II. CONTENTS
I. ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2
II. CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
III. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
References: Bailey, R. (2003). Conceptual Metaphor, Language, Literature and Pedagogy. Journal of Language and Learning, 1(2) Psomadakis, C. (2007). Mapping Metaphors in Modern Greek : Life is a Journey ( Dissertation, Linguistics Department, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom) Kövecses, Z. (2002). Metaphor: A Practical Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Lackoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980, August). Conceptual Metaphor in Everyday Language. The Journal of Philosophy, LXXVII(8), 453-459 Lackoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Live By. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Sun, H.-m. (2010). The Cognitive Study of Metaphor and its Application in English Language Teaching