Publications

Publication details [#13568]

Liao, Zhenggang and Zhengjun Lin. 2017. Metaphor and Metonymy in Basic Taste Words of the Yelow Emperor Bible. Journal of Northeast Normal University(Philosophy and Social Sciences).
Publication type
Article in journal
Publication language
Chinese

Abstract

Personification is a basic metaphorical usage, from which we derive the parent-child relation metaphor and the antagonism relation metaphor between one side and the other side. The antagonism relation metaphor can be further divided into two types: the relation metaphor between two families and the one within family members. This article, which combines the five elements of Yingyang theory with cognitive linguistics theory and applies the introspection and empirical research methods, investigates metaphor and metonymy based on the basic taste words in the Yellow Emperor Bible. It is found that the semantic transfer of causality is the core of the trans-category transfer of basic gustatory words. Synesthesia is an important cognitive agent for the polysemy of basic taste words which can be used as the source domain to mirror other things. The highest degree of metaphorization of basic taste words is "bitter", followed by "acid", while "spicy", "sweet" and "salty" do not develop metaphorical meanings. In the Yellow Emperor Bible, the relationship between the basic taste words and grains, fruits, vegetables and animals is metonymic. The basic taste words are used in a metonymic way in prevention and treatment but only with context provided.