BODILY METAPHORS IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE: A COGNITIVE AND LINGUOCULTURAL ANALYSIS OF GUANYONGYU

Abstract

This study explores the cognitive-linguocultural aspects of somatic guanyngyu in modern Chinese through a mixed-methods approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The research examines how bodily experience is metaphorically mapped onto abstract concepts in Chinese linguistic structures. Somatic guanyngyu, a distinctive category of habitual expressions, reflect fundamental cognitive mechanisms such as metaphorization, metonymization, and conceptual integration. These expressions play a crucial role in encoding Chinese cultural values, particularly in relation to hierarchy, social etiquette, and emotional expressiveness.

A representative corpus of somatic guanyngyu was compiled from linguistic corpora, phraseological dictionaries, and contemporary texts, allowing for a comprehensive cognitive-semantic and cultural semiotic analysis.

The findings reveal that somatic guanyngyu serve as linguistic tools for conceptualizing human experiences, reinforcing the embodied nature of cognition. Expressions involving body parts such as the head, face, hands, and heart carry metaphorical significance related to intelligence, reputation, action, and emotions. Moreover, the study highlights the interplay between language, thought, and culture by demonstrating how bodily metaphors shape Chinese discourse and communication norms.

This research contributes to the understanding of cognitive and cultural foundations of language and offers valuable insights for cross-linguistic studies on metaphorical conceptualization. Future research may extend this analysis by exploring the diachronic evolution of somatic guanyngyu in different linguistic and cultural settings.