This paper examines the different ways in which the body is linguistically codified in the Chinese language of emotions. The three
general modes of emotion description under examination are via (a) externally observable (involuntary) bodily changes, (b)
sensation, and (c) figurative bodily images. While an attempt is made to introduce a typology of sub-categories within each mode
of emotion description, the paper focuses on the meaning of different iconic descriptions through the Natural Semantic
Metalanguage (NSM). On one hand, the linguistic evidence, from a Chinese perspective, attests to the emotional universals proposed
by Wierzbicka (1999). On the other, it points to cultural diversity in bodily conceptualisation and interpretation in emotional
experiences, which are crystallised in linguistic conventions of Chinese emotion talk, including certain syntactic constructions.
This paper also demonstrates the importance of examining the language of emotions in emotion studies, and concludes that a full
account of emotions must include the examination of the language of emotions.
2022. Divergent Conceptualization of Embodied Emotions in the English and Chinese Languages. Brain Sciences 12:7 ► pp. 911 ff.
Zhou, Pin, Hugo Critchley, Sarah Garfinkel & Ya Gao
2021. The conceptualization of emotions across cultures: a model based on interoceptive neuroscience. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 125 ► pp. 314 ff.
Frisby, Craig L.
2020. DSM Revisions and the “Western Conundrum”. In Prejudice, Stigma, Privilege, and Oppression, ► pp. 249 ff.
赵, 海申
2018. The Analysis and Reflection on the Transformation of Traditional Affective Research. Advances in Psychology 08:08 ► pp. 1109 ff.
Liu, Meichun
2016. Emotion in lexicon and grammar: lexical-constructional interface of Mandarin emotional predicates. Lingua Sinica 2:1
Ma-Kellams, Christine
2014. Cross-cultural differences in somatic awareness and interoceptive accuracy: a review of the literature and directions for future research. Frontiers in Psychology 5
Dzokoto, Vivian A., Annabella Opare-Henaku & Lily A. Kpobi
2013. Somatic Referencing and Psychologisation in Emotion Narratives: A USA–Ghana Comparison. Psychology and Developing Societies 25:2 ► pp. 311 ff.
Kronrod, Ann & Shai Danziger
2013. “Wii Will Rock You!” The Use and Effect of Figurative Language in Consumer Reviews of Hedonic and Utilitarian Consumption. Journal of Consumer Research 40:4 ► pp. 726 ff.
Woon Yee Ho, Judy
2009. The language of anger in Chinese and English narratives. International Journal of Bilingualism 13:4 ► pp. 481 ff.
Dzokoto, Vivian Afi & Sumie Okazaki
2006. Happiness in the Eye and the Heart: Somatic Referencing in West African Emotion Lexica. Journal of Black Psychology 32:2 ► pp. 17 ff.
Ye, Zhengdao
2004. The Chinese Folk Model of Facial Expressions: a Linguistic Perspective. Culture & Psychology 10:2 ► pp. 195 ff.
2019. The Emergence of Expressible Agency and Irony in Today’s China: A Semantic Explanation of the New Bèi-construction. Australian Journal of Linguistics 39:1 ► pp. 57 ff.
Goddard, Cliff
2003. Whorf meets Wierzbicka: variation and universals in language and thinking. Language Sciences 25:4 ► pp. 393 ff.
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