Conceptual Metaphor “THE EARTH IS MOTHER” in Vietnamese
Keywords:
Conceptual metaphor; Cognitive linguistics; Mother Earth; Vietnamese language; Environmental communication.Abstract
This paper explores the conceptual metaphor “THE EARTH IS MOTHER” in Vietnamese, within the framework of cognitive linguistics. By applying the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP) developed by the Pragglejaz Group, the study identifies metaphorical cues and expressions that conceptualize the Earth as a nurturing mother. The analysis demonstrates systematic mappings between the source domain (MOTHER) and the target domain (EARTH), highlighting attributes such as giving birth, nurturing, vulnerability, and the need for care. The metaphor not only reflects cultural perceptions of nature but also emphasizes environmental responsibility. Comparative discussion with the English metaphor “Mother Earth” reveals both universal and culture-specific aspects of environmental conceptualization.
References
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Data Sources
Vietnamese Context Lookup Program, Dictionary Department, Institute of Linguistics.
Several websites on the Internet.
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