Abstract

As a special language phenomenon, transferred epithets transfer the modifier from an appropriate noun to another which it doesn’t belong to. However, rather than affecting the comprehension, this kind of expression has aesthetic effects, making language more vivid. The transferred epithet exists not only in literary works, but also in daily communications. Research on transferred epithet has been basically about its aesthetic functions and its characteristics or what should be taken into consideration in their translation. In contrast, the formative reasons of transferred epithets have been seldom explored. Xu Sheng Huan(2007) put forward the Auto-Dependency Framework(ADF), stating that the expression can be divided into explicit expression and implicit expression, the latter of which tends to be the hidden meaning of the sentence, is the automotive element of a sentence; while the former is the dependent element of a sentence. The dependent element must be dependent on the automotive element to express its meanings. It is a theory which supplies us with the method to study the structure and formative reasons of transferred epithets cognitively and culturally. Fauconnier(1997,1998) proposed Conceptual Integration Theory(CIT), offering a new perspective to analyze the formative causes of  transferred epithets, operating in two mental spaces. Based on existing studies, this paper analyzes the structure and formative reasons of transferred epithets through both English and Chinese examples, by integrating ADF with CIT, coming to the conclusion that the transferred epithet is not only a special language phenomenon, but also a mode of thinking.

Key Words: Transferred Epithet; cognition; mode of thinking; structure; formative reasons

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-7

2. Two Types of Classifications of Language Structures-8

3. Analysis of Language Structures through Cognitive Way-9

4. Analysis of Transferred Epithet with Auto-Dependency Framework(ADF)-9

  4.1 Introduction of ADF-9

  4.2 Implicit Expression and Explicit Expression of Language-10

  4.3 Analisis of How to Understand Transferred Epithets with ADF-10

5. Analysis of Formative Reasons with Conceptual Intergration Theory(CIT) 

  and ADF-11

  5.1 Introduction of CIT-11

  5.2 CIT and Empathy-15

  5.3 CIT and Synaesthesia.16

  5.4 Integration of ADF and CIT-17

6. Conclusion-18

References-19