Metaphor as a Means of Meaning Creation (Based on the Material of the Concept DEATH in English and German Languages in a Comparative Aspect) 

Abstract.

METAPHOR AS A METHOD OF MEANING FORMATION (BASED ON THE MATERIAL OF THE CONCEPT "DEATH" IN ENGLISH AND GERMAN IN COMPARATIVE ASPECT)

Olena Dzherikh

Department of Theory and Practice of Translation, Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine.

Abstract

Background: The research of metaphors has sparked tremendous interest in the cognitive linguistics over the past years, as the metaphor is not just a rhetorical device, but also a substantial tool for categorization and outlining a unique worldview of nations.

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to describe the empirical foundations and determine linguistic and cultural peculiarities of the concept "Death" in the German and English language world pictures.

Results: The German and English phraseological units containing the component “Death” are diverse according to their figurative component, characterized by a clear structure and implemented in 14 associative-cognitive models. In both investigated linguistic cultures, the concept under consideration is associated with journey, transition to another world, eternal peace, sky and underground, end of physiological processes and everyday activities, making calculations, and burial in a coffin.

Discussion: Based on the linguistic and cultural analysis of the concept “Death”, common and distinctive features in the worldview of the German and British peoples were revealed. In both linguistic cultures, there is an idea of the continuation of life after death, heaven and hell, separation of the soul from the body, which can be attributed to the universal nature of the concept “Death”, as well as the same faith and similar traditions of the German and British peoples. Further research will shed light on the grammatical classification of phraseological units with thanatological component.

Keywords: concept, cognitive linguistics, metaphor, phraseological unit.

Vitae

Olena Dzherikh is a PhD student at the Department of Theory and Practice of Translation of Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University. The scientific interests: cognitive linguistics, comparative linguistics, text linguistics and comparative semantics.

Correspondence: o.dzherikh@donnu.edu.ua 

Article.

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