Metaphor and Meaning in Arabic Discourse: A Cognitive-Linguistic Perspective / الاستعارة والمعنى في الخطاب العربي: مقاربة لسانية معرفية
Keywords:
Arabic discourse, conceptual metaphor, cognitive linguistics, metaphor and meaning, source domainAbstract
This study examines metaphor and meaning in Arabic discourse from a cognitive-linguistic perspective. The study aims to identify metaphorical expressions, analyze the conceptual mappings between source and target domains, and explain the cognitive, semantic, and discursive functions of metaphor in Arabic discourse. This research employs a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach. The analysis adopts Conceptual Metaphor Theory and applies the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP) and MIPVU to identify and interpret metaphorical expressions in context. The findings indicate that Arabic discourse employs systematic metaphorical patterns through which abstract concepts are conceptualized in terms of concrete experiential domains. Expressions such as ṭarīq al-najāḥ (the path to success), nūr al-ma‘rifah (the light of knowledge), thiqal al-mas’ūliyyah (the weight of responsibility), and juzūr al-mushkilah (the roots of the problem) demonstrate conceptual mappings based on journey, light, weight, and plant domains. These metaphors function not only to enrich linguistic expression but also to facilitate the understanding of abstract concepts, construct particular interpretations, and organize discourse meaning. The study concludes that metaphor constitutes an essential cognitive and semantic mechanism in Arabic discourse and demonstrates the potential for integrating classical Arabic rhetorical perspectives with contemporary cognitive linguistics.
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