A Cognitive Analysis of HEART Idioms in Kurdish from the Perspective of Image Schema Theory

Volume 22 , Issue 2 , August 21 , Pages 593-621

Authors

Dr. Hoshang Farooq Jawad (Assistant Professor) 1

1 Sulaimani University - College of Basic Education Department of English

DOI logo 10.17656/jzsb.11093

Keywords

Abstract

This study is an investigation into HEART idioms in Central Kurdish (CK) from the perspective of Image Schema Theory in cognitive linguistics. The motivation for conducting such a study is attributed to two reasons: firstly, idioms are an integral component of any language the study of which involves the exploration of the relationship between idioms and metaphors. Moreover, idioms reflect many aspects of a society's culture and cultural values and considerations experienced by the speakers. Secondly, to date, no linguistic study of Kurdish idioms has been carried out from the perspective of Image Schema Theory and the significance of this theory for a study like the present one lies in the fact that the acquisition of experience is closely connected to image schemas which are central cognitive structures in human thinking.
The study seeks to answer some questions such as how applicable the theory of Image Schema is when it comes to analyzing Kurdish idioms of the heart, and what are the major kinds of image schemas commonly found in Kurdish in addition to exploring some cultural considerations lying behind the use and construction of such idioms. To answer these questions, inductive reasoning and qualitative analysis have been employed as two methods for data analysis. Accordingly, the study contributes to the Image Schema Theory in cognitive linguistics by placing it in a wider cross-cultural cross-linguistic perspective.
Finally, the study has come up with the conclusion that FORCE SCHEMA, LINK SCHEMA, PART-WHOLE SCHEMA, and CONTAINER SCHEMA are the most common among the eight image schema types detected in the Kurdish corpus data. Moreover, it has been shown that Kurdish is a heavily metaphorical language and the organ heart enjoys a special place in the body that is used in a large number of metaphorical expressions containing heart idioms to conceptualize many complicated aspects of human life such as psychological states and human emotions.

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  • First online15 August 21
  • Published at15 August 21

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