Abstract:Metaphor, apart from being a figure of speech, is an approach to the cognitive world.It can allow us to construct an abstract world and elaborate concepts according to our concrete experiences. Yet different cultures may apply different metaphors to the same concept. This study makes a comparison in the cognition in Chinese and English metaphors from the concept of “Women” in the two cultures. The comparison is carried out in three registers: in novels, in poems, and in TV series. It shows that there are both similarities and differences between Chinese and English metaphors for the same concept. That is to say, similarities and differences co-occur in the cognition of Chinese and English speakers. The purpose is to throw some light on the ways of improving English learner’s linguistic competence.

Key words: metaphor; women; cognition

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review1

  2.1 The General Study of Chinese Metaphors

  2.2 The General Study of English Metaphors

  2.3 The Concept of the Comparative Study on the Cognition in Chinese & English Metaphors

3. Comparative Study of Chinese and English Metaphors of “Women” in Different Registers4

3.1 The Metaphor of “Women” in Novels

3.2 The Metaphor of “Women” in Poems 

3.3 The Metaphor of “Women” in TV Series

4.Conclusion7

5.Bibliography11

6.Acknowledgments12