文化視角下的漢語成語 「牛」 之槪念隱喩探析

Abstract

Metaphor is not merely the rhetorical device, used to decorate literature and writing but is also a tool used in everyday life, subconsciously and automatically. It reflects human cognition, and how people can understand new concepts and determine how to see the world. Through cultural exchange, people can discove that different languages are associated with different customs, social patterns and histories, affecting why people have different insight, and perception, and, therefore, cognition regarding the same concepts. In Chinese culture, “Niu” are considered the most crucial labor source in traditional agricultural society, and as the working partners. “Niu” has a rich cultural connotation and are related to the language. This research uses "Conceptual Metaphor theory developed by Lakoff and Johnson as the foundation for determining the connection between idioms, and metaphor involving “Niu” as well as the surface and underlying meanings of these idioms. In the present chapter the "Conceptual Metaphor Theory” address the relationship between idioms and metaphor involving “Niu”, analyze the history of “Niu” and explores the evolution of symbolism of “Niu”. Metaphor, culture and language, influence each other. The relationship among language, culture and society are explored on the basis of semantic moleclues. This essay mainly focuses on the research on the metaphors of idioms related to "Niu", except for the related idioms of "Niu". In addition to the research, the author also briefly talks about the tracing of the culture of cattle and what the cattle in the society are bestowed by people.