Conceptual Metaphors of "Rivers and Water" in Vietnamese: From the Natural Environment to Socio-Cultural Spaces

Tran Thi Anh Dao; Tran Thanh Du

doi:10.59890/ijaamr.v4i4.214

Authors

Tran Thi Anh Dao FPT Education, Can Tho City, Vietnam
Tran Thanh Du Thu Dau Mot University, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijaamr.v4i4.214

Keywords:

Conceptual Metaphor, River and Water Imagery, Cognitive Linguistics, Embodiment, Metonymy, Modern Discourse

Abstract

In the Vietnamese cognitive system, rivers and water are more than just geographical features. They have become a core foundation for perceiving the world. This study shows that river-related imagery is not only a metaphor but also a primary cognitive coordinate in the Vietnamese worldview. Using Cognitive Linguistics as a framework, this paper explores the conceptual shift from natural environmental experiences to socio-cultural domains. Based on 200 data units, the study traces the development of river-relataed metaphors from their roots in folk songs and proverbs to their reinterpretation in modern journalistic discourse. The results show a clear transition in target domains: while folklore focuses on emotions and personal fate (72%), modern journalism prioritizes economics and finance (58%). The findings show that the "Flow" schema (47.5%) remains a constant factor in both sources, while the "Container" schema and metonymy help make complex social ideas easier to understand. Ultimately, river-related imagery is still vivid in the Vietnamese mind and continues to function as a familiar cognitive basis for navigating the complexities of modern life

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