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Dr. Farahman Farrokhi
Department of English, University of Tabriz
Iran
Dr. Ali Akbar Ansarin
Department of English, University of Tabriz
Iran
Somaye Ashrafi
(Corresponding Author)
Department of English, University of Tabriz
Iran
ABSTRACT
Metaphors are not simply ornamental rhetorical devices that are used in poetry and literary texts;
rather they are indispensable parts of our thinking. This paper seeks to analyze conceptual metaphors
(CMs) cross-linguistically in three areas of economics, politics, and health studies in English and
Persian newspapers within the framework of cognitive linguistics by means of Lakoff and Johnson‘s
(1980) CM theory, to determine which language has the more pervasiveness of metaphors and also to
find out the similarities and differences of CMs in three areas of newspaper. To this end, MIP
(Metaphor Identification Procedure) and Kittay and Lehrer‘ (1981) semantic field theory of metaphor
were used to properly locate and identify metaphors in the corpus of 1,525631 words. The results
indicate that, despite the cultural differences and differently distributed source domains, the conceptual
metaphors in the English and Persian newspapers are not so radically different and this is in line with
Lakoff and Johnson‘s (1980) claim that the use of metaphor is consistent with the universal structure of
human mental conceptualization. There are more CMs in Persian newspapers and in the area of
economics. Out of ten source domains, the CMs of the journey, war, body, and nature were found to be
some of the most frequently-used CMs in the corpus.
Keywords: Conceptual Metaphor, Culture, Corpus Study, Source Domain, Newspaper
ARTICLE The paper received on Reviewed on Accepted after revisions on
INFO 12/06/2019 22/07/2019 27/09/2019
Suggested citation:
Farrokhi, F., Ansarin, A. & Ashrafi, S. (2019). A Comparative Study of Conceptual Metaphors in English and
Persian Newspapers. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 7(3). 80-92.
metaphorical language is more persuasive linguistic expressions that reflect our inner
than literal language (Sopory and Dillard, beliefs and perspectives. Kos (2019) asserts
2002). that metaphor is more helpful in achieving
Newspapers include real discourse the economy of expression and it is more
texts and have a greater impact on people‘s efficient in cases where literal description
lives because as Bell (1991) claims ―society might fail to do so.
is pervaded by media language‖ (p. 1) It is important to draw a distinction
Metaphors used in the press are considered between conceptual metaphors and linguistic
powerful devices in conveying ideological metaphors (also known as metaphorical
purposes (Charteris Black, 2004), and have expressions and linguistic expressions).
this capability to bring to focus some aspects Deignan (2005) suggests that linguistic
of a concept while at the same time hiding metaphors realize conceptual metaphors. For
others (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). The example, the linguistic metaphors of ‗I’m
investigation of metaphors in the newspaper feeling up’, ‗That boosted my spirits‘ and so
is carried out in particular topics such as on realize the conceptual metaphor HAPPY
immigrant discourse (Santa Ana, 1999) and IS UP (p. 14). Linguistic metaphors show
in particular registers such as sports the existence of conceptual metaphor,
reporting (e.g. Charteris-Black, 2004) or because the topic and vehicle in the meaning
business texts (e.g. Koller, 2004). However, of linguistic expressions determine the
this study investigates the conceptual source domain and target domain of
metaphors in the newspaper as a whole conceptual metaphor respectively. The
register, which has not yet been given due vehicle shows the literal meaning, as in the
attention. example above ‗up‘ is literally ‗direction
Most Newspapers consist of three away from the ground‘ but the topic has the
sections namely economics, politics, and meaning in the target domain, which
health issues that are of more interest to consists of metaphorical meaning. The topic
people. It is expected that there will be many is to be happy in the above example (p. 14).
metaphors in these sections as they are much The target domain, according to Kövecses
related to people‘s daily lives. Newspapers (2002), involves ―a more abstract concept,‖
attempt to use a kind of material that is while the source domain tends to encompass
informative and persuasive to readers. This ―a more concrete or physical concept‖ (p. 6).
paper aims to apply the CM theory in the Thus, conceptual metaphor serves to connect
terms of ten source domains to give a two conceptual domains whereby the
detailed explanation of how these source abstract and complicated one is understood
domains in the English and Persian in terms of the familiar knowledge of the
newspapers and three areas of economics, concrete and clear one. Lakoff (1993)
politics, and health studies are distributed considers conceptual metaphors as
and It also gives an account of the ―mappings across conceptual domains‖
similarities and differences between the two where mapping refers to ―a fixed set of
newspapers ontological correspondences between
2. Literature Review entities in a source domain and entities in a
2.1 Definition of Conceptual Metaphor target domain.‖ (p. 245) Similarly, Knowles
The classical thought of metaphor and Moon (2006) refer to mapping as ―the
differs largely from contemporary connections are made between aspects,
understanding of the metaphor. Aristotle features, or roles in source and target
maintains that a metaphor includes two main domains at a conceptual level‖ (p. 34)
disparate locations, that is, the place where it According to Goatly (2007), one important
has come from and the place to which it has feature of CMs is that the mapping of source
been transferred. However, metaphors are domain to target domain do not happen
not merely used as rhetorical devices and haphazardly, but they create patterns and fit
cognitive scientists consider them as part of into sets which are called CM Themes or
human thoughts and understanding (Gibbs, CMs (p. 35).
1994; Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). Lakoff and Lakoff and Johnson (1980) provide the
Johnson (1980) maintain that our conceptual first example of conceptual metaphor
system including our thoughts and actions is ARGUMENT IS WAR. There are many
intrinsically metaphoric. In addition, they examples of expressions in which the
claim that our thinking, our experience, and conceptual metaphor ARGUMENT IS WAR
our everyday actions are greatly influenced is used to illustrate how a concept can be
by metaphors. These metaphorical metaphorical:
conceptual structures are realized in Your claims are indefensible.
Cite this article as: Farrokhi, F., Ansarin, A. & Ashrafi, S. (2019). A Comparative Study of Conceptual
Metaphors in English and Persian Newspapers. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies.
7(3). 80-92.
Page | 82
A Comparative Study of Conceptual Metaphors in …. Farahman Farrokhi, Ali Akbar Ansarin & Somaye Ashrafi
Table 1: List of Newspapers Selected for the findings. Steen (2007) maintains that
Corpus dictionaries are more helpful where
researchers with different knowledge
backgrounds adopt ‗an independent
reflection of what counts as the meanings of
words for a particular group of users of
English [or a given language]‘ (p. 97). We
3.2 Reliability identified the basic meaning of English
Inter-rater agreement is implemented lexical items with the help of both the
to ensure that the subjectivity is avoided and Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced
the validation of the metaphoricity is Learners and the online Oxford English
enhanced. It examines the extent of Dictionary, and for the identification of
agreement between annotators that Persian lexical items, we used Encyclopedic
investigates the accuracy of classification Dictionary of Dehkhoda and Persian
regarding the correct category CMs are Dictionary of Mo‘in. The Macmillan
assigned. To this end, 300 CMs in their English Dictionary for Advanced Learners is
linguistic context are presented to two a corpus-based dictionary and Oxford
annotators to analyze the accuracy of English Dictionary provides a detailed
metaphoricity of the sample after being analysis of the basic meaning of a
trained to do the task. They are native determined lexical item with the origin of
speakers of Persian, one rater is the Ph.D. the term. The two Persian dictionaries are
candidate in TEFL and another is the Ph.D. rather classical words with enriched
candidate in Persian language and literature. figurative definitions. According to Semino
The agreement of 97.3 % is reached between (2008), in determining metaphoricity of
the choices of one annotator and lexical units, one can include both individual
researchers‘ with regard to English corpus words and multiword expressions, when
and the agreement of 95 % is obtained in meaning cannot be determined from the
Persian corpus. Therefore, there is a high words that form them.
value of the researcher‘s judgments in the The guiding principle for Pragglejaz
classification of the selected CMs with group (2007) is a dissimilarity between the
regard to their intended source domain. basic and contextual meaning in the
3.3 Data Collection Procedure and Data specification of the metaphoricity of lexical
Analysis items.
This study uses two stages of analysis: MIP has four steps as follows:
metaphor identification and interpretation. 1. Read the entire text–discourse to establish
Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP) a general understanding of the meaning.
proposed by the Pragglejaz Group (2007) 2. Determine the lexical units in the text–
and the semantic field theory of metaphor discourse.
(Kittay and Lehrer,1981) are conducted as 3. (a) For each lexical unit in the text,
methodological tools in the stage of establish its meaning in context, that is, how
metaphor identification to provide a basis it applies to an entity, relation, or attribute in
for the systematic and definitive the situation evoked by the text (contextual
categorization of the identified linguistic meaning). Take into account what comes
expressions and their related CMs. Semino before and after the lexical unit.
(2008) asserts that MIP is a helpful device (b) For each lexical unit, determine if
that provides researchers with the consistent, it has a more basic contemporary meaning in
credible, and precise method that presents other contexts than the one in the given
valid research findings. context. For our purposes, basic meanings
To avoid the purely intuitive tend to be:
determination method and reinforce the — More concrete [what they evoke is easier
validity of the study, the researchers to imagine, see, hear, feel, smell, and taste];
consider the metaphoricity of the word in the —related to bodily action;
actual context and in the authentic ground. —More precise (as opposed to vague);
Therefore, metaphor identification is —Historically older;
conducted by linking the textual meaning of Basic meanings are not necessarily the
lexical item to its basic, actual meaning. To most frequent meanings of the lexical unit.
this end, researchers benefit from the (c) If the lexical unit has a more basic
dictionaries as they provide credible current–contemporary meaning in other
information and help them gain valid contexts than the given context, decide
whether the contextual meaning contrasts
with the basic meaning and can be newspapers in the related sections. We used
understood in comparison with it. the Chi-square (χ2) to determine a significant
4. If yes, mark the lexical unit as difference in the distribution of CMs among
metaphorical. (p. 3) three sections of economics, politics, and
After the stage of identification, we health study in English and Persian
adopted Lakoff and Johnson‘s (1980) newspapers. Moreover, the frequency of
Conceptual Metaphor theory for the CMs was calculated per 1000 words.
interpretation of the second sage. According Table 2: Computation of X2 of CMs in Persian
to this theory, one can use concrete and and English Newspapers in Three Sections of
physically-based human experiences to Economics, Politics, and Health Studies
explain the abstract and non-physical
concepts. Kittay and Lehrer‘s (1981)
semantic field theory of metaphor is adopted
to enhance the systematism of approach for
establishing CMs in the context. In this
theory, a certain relationship is established
between a set of lexemes in this way that the
established semantic relationship between
fields functioning as a metaphor facilitates
the understanding of irrelevant semantic
filed. The semantic field of the building
domain, for example, can be realized by
linguistic expressions like ―foundation,‖
―pillar‖, ―door,‖ ―structure,‖ ―collapse,‖ and
―ceiling.‖ According to the table of critical
The source-domain-oriented approach, values of χ 2 (Brown, 1988, p. 192), a critical
first implemented for corpus texts by value of χ 2 for 2 degrees of freedom at the
Deignan (2005), is used in this research. 0.05 level is 5.99. The observed value of χ 2
Researchers deductively investigated the calculated here is 95.39, which is more than
metaphor searching for the available source the critical value of χ 2:
domains through the whole text to establish Observed χ 2 =95.39 > Critical χ 2 =5.99
their existence. In this approach, the pre- The findings of the test show that
selected lexical items of source domains the distribution of CMs in economics,
collected from previous studies and politics, and health studies in English and
researchers‘ own manual metaphor Persian newspapers is statistically
identification through reading the beginning significant. Therefore, the null hypothesis
3000 words in each language were regarding the first question is rejected.
qualitatively investigated to ensure that they The findings from the overall
are actually used metaphorically. These distribution of CMs (table 3) show that the
findings were then applied to a larger corpus frequency of metaphors per 1,000 words in
to mark the metaphors in their verbal Persian newspapers (17.81) was higher than
surroundings and obtain more generalized the English ones (13.86). The highest
linguistic results. In this study, ten source frequency belongs to economics and politics
domains were selected including building sections in Persian newspapers with 21.62
&construction, War, Plants, Nature, Health and 20.86 per 1000 words. The frequency of
&Illness, Machines &Tools, Journey & CMs in the economics section of English
transportation, Food & cooking, Body & newspaper is the highest with 19.48 per
activities, and Animal. 1000 words. The lowest frequencies belong
4. Results to the area of health study with the value of
The comparative analysis of 11.07 and 8.31 per 1000 words in Persian
conceptual metaphors in the corpus of and English newspapers respectively. As it
English and Persian newspapers is presented is evident from Figure 1, out of three areas,
in this section. Of the newspaper materials the section of economics in both languages
investigated, a total number of 10528 includes the highest CMs.
metaphors (economics= 4919 politics=3519
heath studies=2090) were found in English
newspapers. There are 13646 (economics=
5544 politics=5242 heath studies=2860)
metaphors in the corpus of Persian
Cite this article as: Farrokhi, F., Ansarin, A. & Ashrafi, S. (2019). A Comparative Study of Conceptual
Metaphors in English and Persian Newspapers. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies.
7(3). 80-92.
Page | 84
A Comparative Study of Conceptual Metaphors in …. Farahman Farrokhi, Ali Akbar Ansarin & Somaye Ashrafi
Cite this article as: Farrokhi, F., Ansarin, A. & Ashrafi, S. (2019). A Comparative Study of Conceptual
Metaphors in English and Persian Newspapers. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies.
7(3). 80-92.
Page | 86
A Comparative Study of Conceptual Metaphors in …. Farahman Farrokhi, Ali Akbar Ansarin & Somaye Ashrafi
یکی اس هجبحثی کَ زر زطتْر کبر زّلت لزار hold on central and western Syria.
زارز ّ هززم ًیش زر جریان آى ُظتٌس التصبز همبّهتی (Guardian, 2018, 3, 23)
(Iran, 2018, 3, 12) .اطت 4.7 Plant
One of the issues that is on the Persian newspapers contain a higher
government's agenda and the people are number of plant CMs than English
aware of is the resistive economy. newspapers. Economics in both languages
POLITICAL CRITICISM IS NATURE includes the highest number of CMs. There
The metaphor of under fire is used to are 17 subtypes of source domains of plant
show a higher degree of political criticism in English newspapers (Barren, blossom,
and dissatisfaction for exerting pressure on branch, cherry-pick…) and 13 subtypes in
the individual. Persian newspapers (َثذر ریؼ, ثبر, ػکْفبیی...).
'He's a little monarch' Emmanuel In Persian corpus, economic
Macron under fire for 'cheating' France. DEVELOPMENT IS PLANT, (BAD)
(Express Mail, 2017, 9, 19). RESULT IS PLANT, and THE MAIN
4.6 Building & Construction REASON OF ILLNESS IS PLANT, and in
Persian newspapers contain a higher English corpus, ECONOMIC
number of building CMs than English DEVELOPMENT IS PLANT, DIVISION
newspaper. Politics in Persian newspapers OF POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IS
and economics in English newspapers PLANT, and GETTING HEALTH
include the highest number. There are 26 BENEFIT IS PLANT are the most
subtypes of source domains of building in frequently-used conceptual metaphors.
English newspapers (Architecture, bedrock, THE MAIN REASON OF ILLNESS IS
brick, bridge...) and 36 subtypes in Persian PLANT
newspapers ( طتْى, طمف, آّار, ًَآطتب,…). In Root metaphor has been used to
Persian corpus, the highest frequencies of describe the long-standing problems so that
CMs belong to LIMIT IS BUILDING, the audience gets the realization that solving
MAIN POLITICAL POLICY (OR DEAL) problem requires a great deal of thinking and
IS BUILDING, and BODY ORGANS ARE effort.
BUILDING, and in English corpus, this ثیوبری ُبی غیز ّاگیز ریشه زر فزٌُگ هب
belongs to CMs like END OF THE FIRM‘S کن، فبکتْر ذطز ػبهل رژین غذایی ًبطبلن4 .زارًس
ACTIVITIES IS BUILDING, ّ هصزف طیگبر ّ زذبًیبت ّ الکل ُوگی جش،تحزکی
(STRENGTHENING) POLITICAL (Iran, 2017, 5, 17) .فبکتْرُبی ذطزًس
POSITION IS BUILDING, and PROVING Contagious diseases are rooted in our
HEALTH STUDY FINDING IS culture. The four risk factors include
BUILDING. unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking,
BODY ORGANS ARE BUILDING and alcohol that are all risk factors.
To illustrate the seriousness of an ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS PLANT.
unhealthy diet or irrational treatment and its In this example, the economy is
effects on the body, writers make use of the likened to a plant so that its development
building destruction metaphor to make the can be illustrated in the form of plant growth
issue more visible and tangible to the and that if one fails to deal with economy, it
readers. will be damaged or in other words, the
ثَ یبز زاػتَ ثبػیس هصزف طْالًی هست ػزق economy will be in crisis.
کبطٌی هْجت تخریب ػزّق ػجکیَ ّ افت فؼبر ذْى هی When the housing market is in the
(Iran, . پض زر اطتفبزٍ اس آى سیبزٍ رّی ًکٌیس،ػْز doldrums – as now – growth suffers.
2018, 3, 5) (Guardian, 2018, 3, 15)
Remember that long-term 4.8 Animal and Its Activities
consumption of chicory perspiration can English newspapers contain the higher
damage the retinal vessels and lower blood number of animal CMs than Persian
pressure, so do not overdo it. newspapers. Economics in English
(STRENGTHENING) POLITICAL newspapers and politics in Persian
POSITION IS BUILDING newspapers contain the most CMs. There are
The use of building metaphors refers 24 subtypes of source domains of animal in
to the robustness of government activities English newspapers (Beast, bird, bull,
and institutions that through well-planned chicken, defang, dog, dove, …) and 24
policies they will be able to survive longer. subtypes in Persian newspapers (َپٌج, افظبر,
The displacement deal will bring the کجْتز, ذزگْع, ,…) In Persian corpus, the
campaign in eastern Ghouta… closer to most frequently-used CMs are BIG
conclusion, and it will cement the regime‘s BUSINESS IS ANIMAL, CONTROL IS
ANIMAL, and DEALING WITH
PROBLEMS IS ANIMAL, and in English ػزػی ّ تْام ثبرضبیت هٌسی اس سًسگی هؼتزک،لبًًْی
corpus, they are ECONOMY (hamshahri, 2018, 3,20) ،...اطت
DEVELOPMENT IS ANIMAL, To strengthen the family structure as a
POLITICAL PARTY IS ANIMAL, and key element of community cohesion, and
MONITORING HEALTH-RELATED healthy and secure marital relationships that
POLICIES IS ANIMAL. are joyful, legal, religious, and is associated
CONTROL IS ANIMAL with the feeling of happiness…
The use of bridle metaphor in Persian NONFUNCTIONING OF POLITICAL
newspapers implies that Americans have the POLICIES IS HEALTH &ILLNESS.
power and ability to control ISIS in The metaphor paralyze implies that
accordance with their desires so that they the measures taken by authorities are so
could achieve their goals in the region. severe or irrational that the political system
آهزیکبییِب کَ زاػغ را پیزّس ًِبیی هیساى will not be able to function normally.
َهیساًظتٌس ًیبسی ثَ کؼیسى افسار آًِب ًساػتٌس ّ ث Washington may block the
(keihan, 2017, .کززطتبى ًیش ُیچ کوکی ًکززًس appointment of new judges next year, a
9,13) move that would paralyze the system and
The Americans, who saw ISIS as the undermine the WTO … (Express Mail,
ultimate victor in the field, did not need to 2018, 3, 19)
restrain them and did not help Kurdistan. 4.10 Food and Cooking
ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT IS The CMs of food in Persian
ANIMAL newspapers outnumber the ones in English
The soar metaphor is used to refer to newspapers. There are 19 subtypes of the
the rapid economic development in which source domain of food in the English
barriers are quickly removed. It is most newspapers (appetite, bitter, boil, bread,
commonly associated with terms such as brew, carrot …) and 22 subtypes in Persian
jobs and employment. ones (تلد, ػیزیي, تٌسی, ًبگْار, طؼن, پرتي, )…آع.
Rising wages and soaring employment In Persian corpus, the highest numbers of
could mean the Bank of England will soon CMs are SHOPPING POWER IS FOOD,
have to consider raising interest rates, … FACT IDENTIFICATION IS FOOD, and
(Telegraph, 2017,9, 15) EXPERIENCE IS FOOD, and in English
4.9 Health & Illness corpus, they are ACHIEVING RESULTS IS
There are 34 subtypes of the source FOOD, HIGHER DEGREE OF
domain of Health & Illness both in English OPPOSITION IS FOOD, and PROVIDING
and Persian newspapers. For example, the FINANCE IS FOOD.
lexical metaphors in English newspapers SHOPPING POWER IS FOOD
include acute, ailing, antidote, blind, The table (sofreh) refers to the
chronic … and the examples in Persian peoples‘ economic power or their ability to
newspapers areتشریك, التِبة, زرهبى, هشهي, afford their expenses, which may directly be
…فلجThe highest numbers of CMs are found related to the wrong economic policies that
in the area of economics in both languages. threaten people's welfare.
In Persian corpus, HIGH PRICE IS ثزاطبص گشارع ثبًک هزکشی افشایغ ُشیٌَ ُب
HEALTH & ILLNESS, IMPROVING (Keihan, 2017, ....سفره هززم را کْچکتز کززٍ اطت
POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP IS HEALTH 5, 28)
& ILLNESS, and RELATIONSHIP IS According to the Central Bank‘s
HEALTH & ILLNESS, and in English report, increasing expenses shrink
corpus, TERMINATING FINANCIAL households‘ tables.
CRISIS IS HEALTH & ILLNESS, ACHIEVING RESULTS IS FOOD
NONFUNCTIONING OF POLITICAL We use the fruit metaphor when we
POLICIES IS HEALTH &ILLNESS, and want to point to the achievements of
ACCEPTANCE IS HEALTH & ILLNESS political actions that have involved a great
are the most frequently-used CMs. deal of effort.
RELATIONSHIP IS HEALTH & ILLNESS Griveaux says Macron‘s team has
In the example below, the relationship learned from these historic mistakes, getting
is likened to a healthy body to imply that on with the job immediately while the
relationship needs to be taken care of within president is strong, his enemies weak and his
legal, religious, and social framework so that term of office long enough to see the
the couples could have a lasting marriage. reforms bear fruit. (Telegraph, 2017, 9 16)
زر تحکین ًِبز ذبًْازٍ کَ ػبهل اصلی اًظجبم 5. Discussion
، جبهؼَ ّ پیًْسُبی سًبػْیی سالم ّ ایوي کَ لذت ثرغ
Cite this article as: Farrokhi, F., Ansarin, A. & Ashrafi, S. (2019). A Comparative Study of Conceptual
Metaphors in English and Persian Newspapers. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies.
7(3). 80-92.
Page | 88
A Comparative Study of Conceptual Metaphors in …. Farahman Farrokhi, Ali Akbar Ansarin & Somaye Ashrafi
Cite this article as: Farrokhi, F., Ansarin, A. & Ashrafi, S. (2019). A Comparative Study of Conceptual
Metaphors in English and Persian Newspapers. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies.
7(3). 80-92.
Page | 90
A Comparative Study of Conceptual Metaphors in …. Farahman Farrokhi, Ali Akbar Ansarin & Somaye Ashrafi
Cite this article as: Farrokhi, F., Ansarin, A. & Ashrafi, S. (2019). A Comparative Study of Conceptual
Metaphors in English and Persian Newspapers. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies.
7(3). 80-92.
Page | 92