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Part of
The Language of Food in Japanese: Cognitive perspectives and beyond
Edited by Kiyoko Toratani
[Converging Evidence in Language and Communication Research 25] 2022
► pp. 135–160

Chapter 5
Verbs of eating

From active zones, cultures, metonymy, and metaphor to withdrawal

| University of Malaya

The chapter explains how kuu and taberu, two major verbs of eating in Japanese, emerged, developed, and changed their literal and figurative meanings. Both verbs began their life distinctly. Kuu emerged from the active zone, while societal structures gave rise to taberu. This difference is reflected in two facets of culture, labeled Culture 1 and Culture 2, which embrace adversity and hierarchical society, respectively, revealing two social attributes that are historically prevalent in Japan. Today’s usages of taberu and kuu show a shift in the selection of active zones and a shift from metonymy to metaphor. Drawing upon kuu’s current tendency to withdraw from figurative expression, the chapter suggests that metonymy and metaphor can effect a clear division of labor.

Keywords: active zones, cultures, metonymy, metaphor, verbs of eating, withdrawal
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Active zones
  • 3.Cultures
  • 4.Verbs of eating
    • 4.1Kuu
      • 4.1.1From holding to biting to eating
      • 4.1.2Eating and living
      • 4.1.3Eating an inedible object as acceptance of adversity
    • 4.2Tabu
    • 4.3Taberu
      • 4.3.1Eating and living
      • 4.3.2Eating an inedible object as an expression of enjoyment
    • 4.4Summary
  • 5.Kuu’s withdrawal
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
Published online: 9 February 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/celcr.25.05yam
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