The Representation of Body Names in Expressing Emotions: A Typological View

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Vali Rezai ¹
• Tahereh Samenian ²

¹ Associate Professor in Linguistics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

² PhD Candidate in Linguistics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/jlkd.2023.84080.1191

Abstract

Lexical typology is related to the specific ways in which languages incorporate meaning into words. In this way, lexical typology, which deals with words, can be considered a sub-branch of semantic typology. Recently, studies in cognitive linguistics have shown how body parts act as a source for conceptualizing different experiences such as feeling, thinking, etc., and are represented in different ways in different cultures. Using words that refer to body parts can help us express our feelings more accurately. This study tried to take a look at the lexical typological patterns of the role of body names in expressing the emotions of Persian speakers. This research may be considered the first typological collection of the figurative role of body names in describing emotions. This comparative-analytical study was done based on the studies of linguists in this field. For this purpose, 50 sentences of linguistic evidence were extracted from Persian language database and some written sources and were categorized based on the concept of nouns in expressing emotions. It was tried to examine the samples based on their role in expressing emotions. Data analysis was done on the patterns proposed by Ponsonnet and Laginha (2020) and the most prevalent body names. Moreover, the findings indicated that the words "heart", "eye" and "liver" are used more than other words in Persian to express feelings; however, in order to make an accurate assessment of this opinion, extensive research that combines a culture-specific and cross-cultural approach is needed.

Keywords

• Body Names
• Typological Patterns
• Emotional Expression
• Lexical Typology
• Cultural Approach
• Typological Hierarchy

Main Subjects

• Linguistic typology

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