Tambov
All-Russian academic journal
“Issues of Cognitive Linguistics”

COGNITIVE-ONTOLOGICAL APPROACH TO INVESTIGATING METAPHOR GENESIS

COGNITIVE-ONTOLOGICAL APPROACH TO INVESTIGATING METAPHOR GENESIS


Author:  Zhanna N. Maslova

Affiliation:  Balashov Institute (Branch) of Saratov State University named after N.G. Chernishevsky

Abstract
The cognitive approach to metaphor is productive, but there are no works explaining the genesis of metaphor as a way of thinking. Cognitive linguistics is able to clarify the question about some evolu-tionary stages of metaphor formation at mental and linguistic levels.
Analysis of historical data leads to the conclusion that the ontological systems (system of the hu-man consciousness, system of the world, system of the language) were not initially separated. Metaphor was one of the results of the process of division between these ontological systems and establishment of relations between them, to prove which the study considers such terms as: mythological metaphor, my-thological image, primitive (prehistoric) consciousness.
The main point is: the basic cognitive mechanisms, including metaphor, have evolved, as a result of which mythological metaphor is different from modern metaphor. The origin of the cognitive me-chanisms is associated with advent of a number of initial "nuclear" ideas which were the basis for some general limitations and vectors of opening up the world and consciousness in general. These "nuclear" ideas are transference, authenticity, semblance. The advent of these "nuclear" ideas is related to a partial division between three ontological systems. Cognitive mechanisms are ways of interaction between these three systems. So, metaphor in the focus of ontological systems is seen as a way of thinking and a sign of style.
The results of the research can be used in different fields: cognitive theory of metaphor, cognitive poetics, textual studies, literary criticism, anthropology.

Keywords:  genesis, historical poetics, cognitive, metaphor, mythological image, ontological systems, concept

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Pages:  49-56

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