VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY - HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGE & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF POST – GRADUATE STUDIES
*****************
HỒ THỊ THU TRANG
WAYS OF DENOTING CHARACTERISTICS
THROUGH DOMESTIC ANIMAL METAPHOR
IN ENGLISH
(Các Cách Diễn Đạt Tính Cách Thông Qua Ẩn Dụ Vật Nuôi
Trong Tiếng Anh)
Minor thesis
Field: English Linguistics
Code: 60 22 15
Ha Noi, 2010
VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY - HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGE & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF POST – GRADUATE STUDIES
*****************
HỒ THỊ THU TRANG
WAYS OF DENOTING CHARACTERISTICS
THROUGH DOMESTIC ANIMAL METAPHOR
IN ENGLISH
(Các Cách Diễn Đạt Tính Cách Thông Qua Ẩn Dụ Vật Nuôi
Trong Tiếng Anh)
Minor thesis
Field: English Linguistics
Code: 60 22 15
Supervisor
: Dr. Hà Cẩm Tâm
Ha Noi, 2010
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Declaration
i
Acknowledgements
ii
Abstract
iii
Table of contents
iv
PART I: INTRODUCTION
1
1. Rationale
1
2. Aims of the study
2
3. Research question
2
4. Scope of the study
2
5. Organization of the study
3
PART II: DEVELOPMENT
4
Chapter 1: Theoretical Background
4
1.1. An overview of Cognitive Linguistics
4
1.2. An overview of Cognitive Semantics
5
1.3. Conceptual Metaphor Theory
7
1.3.1. Definition of Conceptual Metaphor
7
1.3.2. Domain and Mapping
8
1.3.3. Image – schema
9
1.3.4. Levels of Conceptual Metaphor
10
1.3.5. Types of Conceptual Metaphor
11
1.3.6. Some features of Conceptual Metaphor
14
1.4. Animal Metaphor and The Great Chain of Being Metaphor
15
Chapter 2: The Study
18
2.1. Research question
18
2.2. Data Collection
18
2.3. Analytical Framework
19
2.4. Analysis
20
5
2.4.1. Arrogance
20
2.4.2. Maliciousness
21
2.4.3. Selfishness/ Greediness
24
2.4.4. Stupidity
25
2.4.5. Loose moral
26
2.4.6. Obstinacy
27
2.4.7. Cowardice
28
2.4.8. Servility
29
2.4.9. Smugness
30
2.4.10. Aggressiveness
30
2.4.11. Despicableness
31
2.4.12. Mild-manner
33
.2.4.13. Tenaciousness
33
PART III: CONCLUSION
34
1. Conclusions
34
2. Implications
35
3. Suggestions for further research
36
REFERENCES
37
APPENDIX
40