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Abstract

Abstract

This study employs a corpus-based approach to examine the metaphorical and metonymic uses of in Chinese and English idioms. The findings indicate that both languages share similar target domains of metaphors, such as and , based on shared bodily experiences and the universal attributes of water. However, the conceptual correspondences differ within shared metaphors (e.g., ) and metonymies (e.g., ). Additionally, certain target domains of metaphors are culture-specific, such as in Chinese and in English. These differences can be explained by the sociocultural factors. Statistical analysis shows that metaphors are more culturally influenced, leading to greater cross-linguistic variability, while metonymies remain more stable across languages. Overall, this study highlights the interplay between universal cognition and culture-specific conceptualization in language.

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2025-10-28
2025-11-13

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What does water mean to us
John Benjamins ; https://doi.org/10.1075/rcl.00234.che
/content/journals/10.1075/rcl.00234.che
/content/journals/10.1075/rcl.00234.che
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keywords: sociocultural factors ; water ; conceptual metonymy ; conceptual metaphor ; embodiment

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