CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR THROUGH WORDS DENOTING CHARACTERISTICS, MOOD AND EMOTIONS WITH ELEMENTS EXPRESSING ‘HEART’ – ‘JAI’ IN THAI

Abstract

Conceptual metaphor has long been considered an effective cognitive tool for human to conceptualize abstract contents. The human body vocabulary is one of the earliest word groups formed on the basis of early human observation and considered the fundamental words of languages. However, in daily conversations, this word group is used differently in each language from the nominative expression to semantic conversion and formation of phrases; or is metaphorized to represent various human psycho-emotional states depending on ways of thinking and cultural features of each nation. In this study, the researcher collects and analyzes conceptual metaphor through words indicating characteristics, mood and emotions with elements expressing ‘heart’ – ‘jai’ in Thai from the perspectives of cognitive linguistic theory.