Orientational Metaphor And China Government Work Reports

The relationship between word and thought has always been one of the hot spot in many fields such as psychology and linguistics. Metaphor, as one part of cognitive linguistics, serves as one explanation for the relationship. When it comes to the expressions of spatial orientation, spatial metaphor emerges as the conditions require. However, early study of spatial metaphor mainly focuses on how language codes different kinds of spatial relations. With the development of cognitive linguistics, the role of spatial orientation in building and understanding human experience was gradually taken seriously. This thesis aims at researching expressions of orientational metaphor in Chinese cognitive system. Based on Chinese Government Work Reports at National People's Congress from 2004 to 2010, this thesis employs Lakoff & Johnson's theory on orientational metaphor as its theoretical framework.Because China Government Work Report at NPC is the brilliant summary of China's economic, political, cultural, military, educational and sanitary work in a whole year. The cognitive characteristics and law of orientational metaphor reflected in the Reports can deepen the understanding of the Reports and better facilitate the practice of everyday life.The thesis mainly discusses the "shang", "xia", "gao" and "di" orientational metaphors in the Reports. "Shang", "xia", "gao" and "di" metaphorical entries are analyzed semantically and cognitively in the thesis. The physical basis and social and cultural basis for the metaphorical mapping of all the "shang", "xia", "gao" and "di" orientational metaphors are summarized. Based on the results of semantic and cognitive analysis, a conclusion is got, that is, Chinese tend to "look up" and "look high", especially when the domains of economy, politics, culture, military affairs and so on are referred to.By analyzing orientational metaphor in the Reports at National People's Congress from the cognitive perspective, this thesis provides a new way to understand the Reports. What is more important, a thorough understanding of the Reports guarantees daily practice to go more successfully. Because the process of practice will be circuitous without the guidance of correct theory.