Affiliation:
1. National Chengchi University
Abstract
Abstract
This study investigates the cognitive operations and cultural constraints in DOG and CAT proverbs in Taiwan Hakka
and English. For understanding and interpreting proverbs, the target themes are categorized into fundamental human virtues, and
the cognitive operations are exhaustively examined by Conceptual Blending Theory. It is found that temperance and humanity are the
most prevalent virtues profiled in Taiwan Hakka, while wisdom and knowledge are the most dominant ones in English. The analysis
explicates that Conceptual Blending Theory can serve as a universally explanatory model, and at the same time, contextual and
cultural factors play crucial roles in providing parametric constraints for the use and creation of proverbs.
Publisher
John Benjamins Publishing Company