INTRODUCTION
Rationale
Language serves as a fundamental tool for expressing thoughts, emotions, and feelings such as love, hate, and anger According to Talmy, language is a distinct cognitive system that operates separately from other major systems like perception, reasoning, and memory It possesses unique structural properties, while also sharing certain characteristics with a few or all other cognitive systems.
In recent years, the study of emotions has been one of the most important areas of research in the Social Sciences
Expressing love can be challenging due to varying conventions across languages, yet it remains a fundamental emotion in our daily lives The concept of love is often abstract and difficult to define without the use of metaphors, as highlighted by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) They argue that we understand abstract feelings like love through more concrete experiences, viewing the non-physical in terms of the physical This study explores the concept of love within English set expressions, utilizing cognitive linguistics to analyze metaphor theory as presented by Lakoff and others.
In this study, the approach established by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) is utilized, which posits that metaphor serves as a crucial process for comprehending our world This is especially true for abstract concepts like love, which are frequently articulated through more tangible terms.
Metaphorical expressions in language are systematically linked to metaphorical concepts, allowing us to explore and understand the nature of these concepts By analyzing these expressions, we can gain insights into the metaphorical aspects of our activities and how they shape our understanding of the world.
Love is a journey is reflected in contemporary English through a wide variety of expressions
Look how far we've come
We may have to go our separate ways
It's been a long, bumpy road
This relationship is a dead-end street
We're spinning our wheels
The marriage is on the rocks
Our relationship is off the track
Love is often conceptualized as a journey, with common English expressions illustrating this metaphor This mapping from the source domain of journeys to the target domain of love highlights how elements in the realm of love systematically correspond to those in the journey domain (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980: 207-208).
Lakoff and Johnson (1980) assert that much of our understanding of non-physical reality is shaped by metaphors, which help us comprehend our thoughts and emotions by relating them to the physical world They argue that metaphors serve as foundational structures for understanding, allowing us to conceptualize abstract or unfamiliar domains (target domains) through more familiar and concrete ones (source domains).
The conceptual metaphor of love is widely recognized across various languages This article applies the theory of conceptual metaphor, as established by Lakoff and Johnson, to explore how metaphors of love manifest in English expressions The study aims to enhance our understanding of the relationship between the domain of love and other experiential domains.
Aims of the study
This study explores the conceptualization of the noun "love" through various English expressions By analyzing specific data, it identifies the key qualities associated with love in the English language.
Scope of the study
This study focuses on investigating how love is conceptualized in English evidenced in
There are three different categories according to the function of metaphors: Structural, orientaitonal, and ontological metaphors (Kovecses, 2002: 32, 33) In this study, structural metaphors was used as the analytical framework.
Research question
The question addressed in this study is:
- How is love conceptualized in English evidenced in some English expressions of love?
Organization of the study
Part I provides the significance, aims, framework, scope and organization of the study Part II is subdivided into 2 chapters: Chapter 1 provides the general theoretical background of the study and Chapter 2, the backbone of the study It provides the data collection, the analytical framework and data analysis
Part III demonstrates the major findings of the study, implications and suggestions for further cognitive studies Appendix and references are also included.
DEVELOPMENT
THEORITICAL BACKGROUND
This study focuses on cognitive semantics, particularly the theory of cognitive metaphor, to analyze linguistic expressions related to the concept of love By exploring the field of cognitive semantics, the writer establishes a comprehensive theoretical framework that supports the research.
Cognitive semantics, a new semantic theory developed by scholars such as Lakoff (1987) and Langacker (1986, 1987), posits that meanings are fundamentally mental constructs, encapsulated in the phrase "Meanings are in the head." This approach views semantics as a mapping between language expressions and cognitive entities, emphasizing that "Meaning is equated with conceptualization" (Langacker, 1986a: 3) By adopting a conceptualistic perspective, cognitive semantics challenges traditional formal linguistic divisions—such as phonology, syntax, and pragmatics—arguing that meaning is intrinsically linked to cognitive processes rather than being independent of syntax Ultimately, this theory asserts that meanings originate in our minds, reinforcing the idea that they are indeed "in the head" (Gardenfors, 1994).
Cognitive semantics posits that the mental structures associated with the meanings of words are fundamentally similar to those formed through our sensory perceptions, such as seeing, hearing, and touching (Gardenfors, 2007: 58).
Cognitive semantics explores the interplay between human experience, conceptual systems, and the semantic structures expressed in language Researchers in this field focus on how knowledge is represented and how meaning is constructed through conceptualization By using language as a tool for analysis, cognitive semanticists aim to model cognitive processes alongside examining linguistic semantics (Vyvyan, 2007).
Cognitive semantics bridges the gap between semantics and cognition, offering a multi-disciplinary perspective on language that incorporates cognitive, cultural, and physiological dimensions This approach considers sociological and anthropological variations, alongside experiential realities and natural environments A key focus of cognitive semantics research is to explore how diverse languages and cultures leverage their grammatical and lexical resources to shape their understanding of the world.
Cognitive semantics plays a crucial role in understanding cross-cultural communication by examining underlying conceptual schema patterns This approach recognizes both universal and language-specific construals Research by Asmah (1996) and Yu (2003) highlights that the conceptualization and metaphorization of the body are influenced by cultural elements within society Similarly, Kovecses (1999) emphasizes that while the conceptualization of the body and its parts is largely culture-specific, there are also universal conceptual structures at both the categorical and schematic levels.
The Cognitive Theory of Metaphor, also known as Conceptual Metaphor Theory, was pioneered by Reddy in 1979 and further developed by Lakoff, Johnson, and their colleagues This theory explores how metaphorical language shapes our thoughts and perceptions According to Lakoff and Johnson, our conceptual system, often unconscious, significantly influences our daily actions and experiences They argue that the metaphors we use not only reflect our thoughts but also structure our understanding of reality Thus, if our conceptual system is predominantly metaphorical, it profoundly affects how we think, perceive, and interact with the world around us.
In their 1980 work, the authors introduced the "two-domain theory" of metaphor, which describes metaphor as a transfer between the source domain and the target domain This cognitive perspective views metaphor as a mechanism that partially maps one conceptual domain (the source) onto another (the target), allowing for the understanding of abstract concepts (the target domain) through more tangible realities (the source domain) Lakoff (1994) further elaborates that metaphor represents "a cross-domain mapping in the conceptual system."
Anger is a hot fluid in a container
In analyzing conceptual metaphors, life, love, argument, and anger serve as the target domains, while difficulty, journey, war, and a hot fluid in a container act as the source domains To effectively comprehend the target domains, it is essential to possess a solid understanding of the corresponding source domains.
Lakoff and Johnson's research (1980) reveals that our everyday expressions indicate that many of our concepts are understood through metaphors, highlighting that a significant portion of human conceptual understanding is metaphorical in nature.
Lakoff and Johnson identify three types of metaphors: structured, orientational and ontological In the following sections, a brief discussion of each type of metaphor will be outlined
Structural metaphors, as defined by Lakoff and Johnson (1980), involve understanding one conceptual structure through another, allowing us to articulate complex ideas in more familiar terms For example, the concept of war is often used to frame arguments, as both are intricate processes By employing the vocabulary and dynamics of war—such as planning, attacking, and defending—we can better comprehend and discuss the abstract nature of arguments This mapping of a concrete concept onto a more abstract one enhances our ability to communicate and understand complex ideas.
Metaphors are prominently evident in our daily language, as illustrated by the examples provided by Lakoff and Johnson (1980: 4) These expressions highlight how metaphors shape our understanding and communication in everyday interactions.
He attacked every weak point in my argument
His criticisms were right on target
I‟ve never won an argument with him
If you use that strategy, he‟ll wipe you out
He shot down all of my arguments (Lakoff and Johnson 1980: 4)
Lakoff and Johnson (1980) illustrate that while a physical battle may not occur, a verbal battle takes place during arguments, structured by the metaphor "Argument is war." Although arguments and wars involve different actions and concepts, we leverage our understanding of war to comprehend and discuss arguments In this metaphor, war serves as the source domain, while argument represents the target domain, allowing knowledge from the former to inform our understanding of the latter They assert that the perceived similarities between war and argument are inherently tied to this metaphor.
Such these linguistic metaphors are grounded in ourselves and our own human traits and actions, it makes them easier to understand (Lakoff & Johnson, 2003: 30; Kovecses, 2002:
Conceptual metaphors serve as cognitive tools that connect people's concrete knowledge of the world with the figurative meanings of expressions Notably, emotions are often characterized by typical conceptual metaphors identified by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and Kovecses (1986).
Love is often conceptualized as a container, where emotions and experiences are seen as being inside it, as noted by Lakoff (1980) Phrases like "in love" imply that we are enclosed within this emotional state, while expressions such as "falling out" suggest a departure from that metaphorical container This metaphorical framework transforms our feelings into tangible objects or substances, shaping how we understand and communicate our emotional experiences.
THE STUDY
This chapter will outline the research questions in section 2.1, provide a detailed description of the data in section 2.2, introduce the analytical framework of the study in section 2.3, and present the data analysis and discussion in section 2.4 The primary focus of this study is the conceptualization of love in the English language.
The question below is the heart of the study:
- How is love conceptualized in English evidenced in some English expressions of love?
This analysis focuses on the noun "love" as it appears in various expressions Notably, metaphors involving "love" are common, whereas the verb form is less frequently used in similar contexts.
An extensive collection of over 115 English expressions related to the emotion of love has been compiled from various dictionaries and Shakespearean plays, including notable works like *Romeo and Juliet*, *Hamlet*, and *Othello* This compilation features more than 20 distinct expressions of love sourced from these plays Additionally, love is represented through numerous expressions in novels The data was also gathered from the now-unavailable website Quote Garden, which previously cataloged many love expressions Comparisons have been made between some Vietnamese expressions and their English counterparts, highlighting different conceptualizations of love.
The data expressions were categorized into various source domains, including container, fire/heat, social superior or opponent, valuable commodity, natural/physical forces, fluid in a container, journey, nutrient, rapture, insanity, and unity of two complementary parts The subsequent section outlines the analytical framework used to examine this data.
According to structural metaphor theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980 and Kovecses,
In 1986, love was metaphorically described through various concepts, including a journey, war, and a fluid contained within a vessel It is also seen as natural forces, rapture, and insanity, likened to a captive animal or a valuable commodity Love embodies patience, madness, and magic, representing the unity of two complementary beings Additionally, it can be viewed as fire or heat, a social superior or opponent, a hidden object, and a form of collaborative work The subsequent section will elaborate on these source domains in detail.
The concept of "container" in love is highlighted by prepositions like "in" and "out." For example, it is said that "a man falls in love through his eyes, while a woman does so through her ears." Conversely, "when we fall out of love, it often catches us by surprise."
Love is often described as a journey, illustrated through phrases like "course," "track," and "distance," as well as verbs such as "come," "walk," "run," "trip," and "go." For example, the saying "The course of true love never did run smoothly" highlights the challenges of love Additionally, one must "walk carefully" at the beginning of a relationship, as the more passionate moments, like "running across fields into your lover's arms," can only occur once there is certainty in mutual feelings.
“I‟m having a love affair with this guy but it‟s on the rocks.”
2.3.3 Love is a fluid in a container
Verbs like fill, pour out, and well up illustrate the concept of love as a fluid within a container Phrases such as "She was overflowing with love" and "She was filled with love" effectively convey this metaphor, emphasizing the depth and abundance of emotional connection.
Love is often depicted as a fluid, akin to a fountain or ocean, illustrating its depth and expansiveness For example, phrases like "Love is like dew that falls on both nettles and lilies" emphasize its universal presence, while "Love is an ocean of emotions entirely surrounded by experiences" highlights the richness and complexity of love.
Expressions such as "crazy in love," "blind to love," and "madness of love" illustrate the intense and often irrational nature of love Phrases like "flee from the cruel madness of love" and "he was blinded by love" emphasize how love can lead to overwhelming emotions and irrational behavior, reinforcing the idea that love can sometimes feel like a form of madness.
Love is often described with adjectives like blind, incapable, and foolish, portraying it as a form of insanity Phrases such as “Love is being stupid together” highlight this notion Additionally, nouns like folly and fool, along with verbs such as rave and distract, further emphasize the irrational aspects of love, as seen in expressions like “Love drives me out of my mind.”
Love is often described as a form of insanity, a notion recognized by the ancient Greeks It can overwhelm rational thought, leading to delusions and self-destructive behaviors In the throes of love, individuals may feel a loss of self-control and clarity, making it difficult to think clearly.
Rapture, often associated with love, is conveyed through verbs like "intoxicate" and "drunk," as well as adjectives such as "giddy," "high," "ecstasy," "silly," and "irresistible." Phrases like "He is intoxicated with love" illustrate this profound feeling, while the notion that "anyone can be passionate, but it takes real love to be silly" emphasizes the unique and joyful aspects of true affection.
2.3.7 Love is natural/ physical forces
Natural or physical forces are often metaphorically expressed through love when paired with verbs like "carry away," "attract," "revolve," "take away," "touch," "restrain," or "open." For instance, phrases such as “She was carried away by love” or “If love has touched you, naught remains but so” illustrate this connection Additionally, love is frequently associated with nouns like "electricity," "energy," "misty rains," "flood," or "atmosphere," as seen in the expression, “Let your love be like the misty rains, coming softly, but flooding the river.”
Love is often likened to fire or heat, illustrated through verbs like burn, ignite, and warm Phrases such as “Love burns across the infinitude” and “His love has warmed my heart” exemplify this connection Additionally, love is associated with nouns like smoke and flame, as seen in expressions like “Love is a smoke made with the fume of sigh” and “Love must be as much as light, as it is flame.”