A Comparative Study of Conceptual Metaphors for Sadness in English and Chinese

Abstract

Metaphor is a key cognitive tool for understanding abstract concepts, with 'sadness' expressions in English and Chinese rich in conceptual metaphors. This study compares 'sadness' metaphors in both languages to reveal commonalities and differences. Traditionally seen as linguistic decoration, metaphors are now viewed, through cognitive linguistics, as fundamental to human thought. Lakoff and Johnson's work suggests metaphors map concrete domains onto abstract ones, shaping our worldview. Emotional metaphors, especially for 'sadness,' offer insights into cognitive patterns, cultural traditions, and thinking styles in English and Chinese. Commonalities include metaphors based on physical experience, such as 'SADNESS IS DOWN,' reflecting psychological heaviness. Metaphors rooted in natural phenomena, like 'SADNESS IS DARKNESS' and 'SADNESS IS COLD,' show shared perceptions of darkness and coldness evoking loneliness and despair. However, differences exist. Culturally, Chinese often uses 'gray' to symbolize sadness, while English associates 'blue' with melancholy. Seasonal imagery also varies, with 'autumn' linked to sadness in Chinese due to decay connotations, but to harvest in English. Cognitively, English expressions like 'heartbroken' emphasize inner turmoil, whereas Chinese phrases such as '肝肠寸断' highlight physical reactions to grief. These reflect cultural emphases: English on individual feelings, Chinese on bodily sensations influenced by traditional medicine. Differences stem from cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and thinking styles. China's poetic heritage contrasts with Western literature's inner world focus. Religious influences, like Christian divine punishment in English and Buddhist/Taoist ideas in Chinese, further shape 'sadness' metaphors. This study deepens understanding of emotional linguistic expressions and highlights cognitive and cultural divergences, contributing to cross-cultural communication and mutual understanding.