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Article published In:
Concentric
Vol. 45:2 (2019) ► pp.246–270

Time passing is relative motion

Conceptualization of time in Chinese

| National University of Tainan
| National Chi Nan University

This paper reexamines the conceptual metaphor time passing is motion and deals with the problem of mapping inconsistency between the “moving ego” and “moving time” models in this conceptual metaphor. We argue that time is conceptualized as a system consisting of a dynamic component and a static component, which we call time-flow and time-landscape respectively. Adopting the notion of relative motion, we propose that the “moving ego” and “moving time” viewpoints are actually due to a shift in perspective within the same frame of relative motion. We then propose a unified metaphor about time passing, namely time passing is relative motion. In this metaphor, the ego is carried by the time-flow to move past time-landmarks over the time-landscape. We also propose that time is specifically conceptualized as a river in Chinese under this conceptual metaphor.

Keywords: time, space, conceptual metaphor, relative motion, frame, perspective
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Moving ego vs. Moving time
    • 1.2Problem of mapping inconsistency
  • 2.Time as a flow-landscape system
    • 2.1Ego moves with time-flow
    • 2.2Ambiguity of time
    • 2.3Conceptualization of time as river in Chinese
  • 3. time passing is relative motion
    • 3.1Expressions of relative motion in Chinese
    • 3.2Frame and perspective shift in relative motion
    • 3.3Manner of movement and perspective shift
  • 4.Discussions: More supporting evidence for time-flow
    • 4.1Time is always in motion
    • 4.2Plural ego
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
Published online: 1 November 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/consl.00010.hsi
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