The Metaphorical Construction of Emotions: A Cognitive Linguistic Perspective

Abstract

Emotions are fundamental to human experience, yet their complex and multifaceted nature has long eluded precise definition. This study aims to investigate the metaphorical construction of emotions from a cognitive linguistic perspective, examining the intricate relationships between conceptual metaphors, embodied experience, and linguistic expression. The objectives include: To identify the conceptual metaphors underlying emotional language, examine the role of embodied experience in shaping emotional metaphors and to analyze linguistic patterns in emotional expression. The study adopted Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) and Embodied Cognition. CMT posits that abstract concepts, including emotions, are understood through mappings from more concrete, sensorimotor experiences. Embodied Cognition emphasizes the role of bodily sensations and spatial orientation in shaping emotional experience. This study demonstrates the pivotal role of metaphors in shaping emotional understanding, highlighting the complex interplay between conceptual metaphors, embodied experience, and linguistic expression.