CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS AND CULTURAL INFLUENCES IN ANIMAL-RELATED IDIOMS IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63506/jilc.1001.457Keywords:
Animal-related idioms; cognition; conceptual metaphor; culture; idiomsAbstract
This study investigates how conceptual metaphors and cultural frameworks manifest in animal-related idioms in English and Vietnamese. Drawing from Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), the study analyzes 367 idioms, including 160 in English and 207 in Vietnamese, which were classified into structural, ontological, and orientational metaphors. The findings reveal that ontological metaphors dominate both languages, while cultural symbolism influences metaphor selection and interpretation. English idioms tend to exhibit descriptive and individualistic tones. In contrast, Vietnamese idioms more frequently reflect moral values and social hierarchies, which can be traced back to long-standing agrarian traditions and established socio-ethical norms. Cultural divergence is especially notable in the use of symbolic animals, tone, and metaphor function. The paper highlights metaphor as both a cognitive and cultural construct, with implications for cross-cultural communication, translation, and language pedagogy.
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