Metaphor, Image, and Image Schemas in Second Language Pedagogy

This book argues for an innovative approach to the systematic learning of metaphorical expressions, idioms and proverbs.Based on conceptual metaphor and image schema theory,a 4-level hierarchical framework is established,which originates from embodied experiences,and surfaces in linguistic expressions including metaphorical expressions,idioms,and proverbs.Because conceptual metaphors,image,and image schemas posess special cognitive features,it is claimed that they can facilitate the learning of linguistic expressions organized or motivated by them.Supports are identified from the following sources of evidence: The Dual Coding Theory,the Psychological Reality of Image Schema,and the Psychological Reality of Hierarchical Structure.The effectiveness of the current approach is experimentally explored and examined by means of five studies with the participation of four hundred plus Chinese undergraduate students.The present research represents an attempt to bridge the gap between the theoretical study of conceptual metaphors and image schemas in cognitive linguistics and their pedagogical applications in applied linguistics.