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VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES


LƯU THỊ HẢI VÂN

A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE METAPHOR “ANGER IS
HEAT” IN ENGLISH AND THE POSSIBLE EQUIVALENT
EXPRESSIONS IN VIETNAMESE

(PHÂN TÍCH ÐỐI CHIẾU BIỂU THỨC ẨN DỤ “ANGER IS HEAT”
(SỰ TỨC GIẬN LÀ NHIỆT) TRONG TIẾNG ANH VÀ CÁC BIỂU THỨC
TƯƠNG ÐƯƠNG TRONG TIẾNG VIỆT) Thesis Summary

Field: English Linguistics
Code: 60.22.15

HANOI - 2012



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Tables of contents
Page
Part A: Introduction…………………………………………………
1
1. Rationale………………………………………………………………
1
2. Aims and objectives of the study……………………………………
1
3. Research questions…………………………………………………
1
4. Scope of the study……………………………………………………
2
5. Methodology…………………………………………………………
2
5.1. Principles governing the research…………………………………
2
5.1.1 Principles governing the choice of research type…………………
2
5.1.2 Data-related issues………………………………………………
2
5.2. Methods of the study………………………………………………
3
5.2.1. Major methods and supporting methods…………………………
3
5.2.2. Data collection instruments………………………………………
3
5.2.3. Data analysis techniques…………………………………………

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1.2.2.4.3. Ontological metaphors…………………………………………
11
1.2.2.4.4. Conduit metaphors……………………………………………
12
1.2.2.5. Metaphorical entailment…………………………………………
13
1.2.3. The role of conceptual metaphors in description of emotions……
14
1.2.4. Summary……………………………………………………
14

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Chapter 2: A contrastive Analysis of the Metaphor “Anger is Heat”
in English and the Possible Equivalent expression in Vietnamese

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2.1. The cognitive basis of the metaphor “Anger is Heat” in English and
in Vietnamese……………………………………………………………

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2.1.1. The cognitive basis of the English metaphor “Anger is Heat” …
15
2.1.2. The cognitive basis of the equivalent metaphor “Anger is Heat” in
Vietnamese…………………………………………………………………

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2.2. The metaphor “Anger is Heat” in English and the equivalent in
Vietnamese………………………………………………………………

2.3. Explanation for the differences of the metaphor “Anger is Heat” in
English and in Vietnamese………………………………………………

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2.4. Summary………………………………………………………
34
Part C: Conclusion……………………………………………………
35
1. Recapitulation…………………………………………………………
35
2. Concluding remarks…………………………………………………
35
3. Suggestions for further studies…………………………………… …
36
References…………………………………………………………………
38

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PART A: INTRODUCTION

1. Rationale
It is common knowledge that metaphors, especially conceptual metaphors are not
only an effective device for representing the world outside language but also a tool
for thinking, speaking and acting. According to Ortony (1975) there are at least
three communicative functions that metaphor might perform.
Lakoff and Johnson (1980:3) state that “metaphor is pervasive in everyday life, not
just in language but in thought and action” and “our conceptual system is largely
metaphorical, then the way we think, what we experience, and what we do every
day is very much a matter of metaphor.”
During my study, I have been interested in metaphors especially conceptual

5.1.1 Principles governing the choice of research type
This study is intended to provide an overview and a contrastiveness of the metaphor
“Anger is Heat” in English and the Vietnamese equivalent. To achieve the aims,
the type of research chosen is basic research.
A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches is employed with priority
given to qualitative analysis. The qualitative method is used to describe and analyze
the common and distinctive features of the metaphor “Anger is Heat” in English
and the equivalent expressions in Vietnamese.
5.1.2. Data-related issues
The researcher examines different samples containing metaphorical expressions
belonging to the central conceptual metaphor “Anger is Heat” from books,
previous studies, novels, stories, and the Internet in both English and Vietnamese.
Then the commonly used metaphorical expressions are selected to be analyzed. The
samples are authentic sources of data. Research procedure follows the research
design and principles strictly. So the validity and the reliability of the study can be
guaranteed. 10
5.2. Methods of the study
5.2.1. Major methods and supporting methods
The study has been carried out with the combination of different methods. The
major method employed in this thesis is contrastive analysis to compare and
contrast mechanism of the metaphor “Anger is Heat” in the two languages. The
intended instrumental language herein assumed is Vietnamese and the target
language is English. Besides, the descriptive method is used as supporting one.
5.2.2. Data collection instruments
Document analysis and observation are employed as data collection instruments.
Document analysis is used to seek instances of the metaphor “Anger is Heat” in
English and the Vietnamese equivalents in books, previous studies, novels, and on


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PART B: DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER ONE: LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1 Review of the previous studies
As far as I know, so far there have been three major works related to the theme of
this research. Following are the major pieces of information about them:
First of all is Gorge Lakoff and Mark Johnson’s “Metaphor We Live By” in 1980.
This is one of the first studies about conceptual metaphors. This book is an
important basis of myriad of studies later. In this book, the two authors point out
that metaphors are not just matters of language, but are used extensively in
reasoning and understanding. Typically, an abstract domain is understood
metaphorically in terms of a more concrete domain. To a large degree, they argue,
the human conceptual system is metaphorical. This is very different from the
classical model of metaphor, which claims that metaphors are artifacts of language

uses the metaphorical expression “He is a fox” could, according to the substitution
view, have used a literal expression “He is cunning” that means the same. The word
"fox" in this case communicates something that could have been expressed literally
and the metaphor here is simply used in a novel or poetic way to decorate and
embellish one's speech. The substitution view implies that metaphorical expression
performs no greater function than to please and amuse readers or listeners.
The problem with this view is that a metaphor may evoke a large number of
connotations and it would be difficult to paraphrase them all; and paraphrasing of a
metaphorical expression cannot present all the meanings that the original
metaphorical expression has (Ohkura: 2003).
1.2.1.2. Comparison theory
The comparison view is one of the most popular dualistic theories of metaphor.
According to comparison theory, metaphor is grounded in the similarity existing
between two concepts involved in it, so metaphor is considered to be an implicit
comparison between principal subject and subsidiary subject, Black (1955), Hoang
Tat Truong (1993). On such a view, the interpretation of a metaphor is a matter of

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interpreting the corresponding simile, and the truth of the metaphor is thus reduced
to that of the simile.
The problem with this view is that similarity is a symmetric relation, whereas, in
reality, metaphor is often asymmetric. For example saying “Surgeons are butchers”
means describing surgeons’ work metaphorically as butchers’ one, but does not
mean that “Surgeons are like butchers”.
To sum up, the main problems with all of these views are that they fail to explain
the creation of similarity that metaphor is capable of, that many metaphorical
expressions, such as “to defend a position”, are so conventional that they cannot be
regarded as anomalous language use, and that metaphor is described as a decorative
element without cognitive importance and metaphor is not necessary, it is just nice.
In other words, metaphor, according to traditional approach, is considered a mere

predominantly associated with some tangible physical experiences and therefore it
is more concrete than the target domain (Esenova: 2000). As a result, to know a
conceptual metaphor is to know the set of mappings that applies to a given source-
target pairing.
We can see that the set of concept in which words and expressions are borrowed is
called “Source Domain”, while the concept which is the borrowers is called “Target
Domain” as shown in the metaphor “Anger is a Plant”.
Source Domain Target Domain
[PLANT] [ANGER]
Seed: And the small seed of anger against him knotted itself
inside her into a hard little core of resentment.
Germinations: And this, I think, is where much of the anger germinates
Root: Anger is rooted in our survival instincts and has a legitimate
and vital function in human behavior.
Bloom: The feeling of rejection had quickly blossomed into anger.
(Esenova: 2009)

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As we can see in the above examples, the target domain “anger” is understood
through the source domain “plant”. “Plant” is described as having “seed”,
“germinations”, “root”, and “bloom”.
1.2.2.3. The structure of a conceptual metaphor
The way metaphor transfers meaning from one area to another is described as a
source domain being mapped onto a target domain. Metaphor is a relation between
conceptual domains, so that the way we talk about the source domain can be applied
the target domain, based on systematic correspondences between the two. That it is
systematic means that multiple aspects of the source domain (appearances,
functions, and relations) may be mapped onto the target domain.
Since a conceptual metaphor is about two domains of thought and not just using one
word instead of another, the structure of a conceptual metaphor is complex.

and counterattack –but only metaphorically (Lakoff & Johnson: 1980). This is
evidence of a structural metaphor, in that it structures people’s ways of thinking,
acting, speaking, and understanding. By looking into the structural relationship of
the concept of argument and the concept of war, one can understand that “the
concept is metaphorically structured, the activity is metaphorically structured, and,
consequently, the language is metaphorically structured” (Lakoff & Johnson: 1980,
p. 5).
1.2.2.4.2. Orientational metaphors
Another kind of metaphorical concept is called an orientational metaphor, which
organizes a whole system of concepts with respect to one another. These typically
deal with spatial orientation, such as up-down, in-out, front-back, on-off, deep-
shallow, and central peripheral. Orientational metaphors give a concept a spatial
orientation, such as happy is up. The fact that the concept happy is oriented as up
gives rise to expressions such as “You’re in high spirits”; “That boosted my spirits”;
“I fell into a depression” or “I’m feeling down” (Lakoff and Johnson: 1980, p. 15).
These metaphorical orientations are not arbitrary; they have a basis in our physical
and cultural experience. In particular, drooping posture is typically related to
sadness and depression, whereas erect posture relates to a positive emotional state.

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The fact that humans and most other mammals sleep lying down and stand up when
they awaken gives rise to the metaphor conscious is up; unconscious is down: “He
rises early in the morning”; “He’s under hypnosis” (Lakoff and Johnson: 1980, p.
15).
Similarly, the physical basis for the metaphor health and life are up; sickness and
death are down is that serious illness forces us to lie down physically and when one
dies, he or she is physically down. This gives rise to “He’s at the peak of health”;
“He came down with the flu”; “His health is declining”; “He dropped dead” (Lakoff
and Johnson: 1980, p. 15).
Having control or force is up; being subject to control or force is down occurs

(Lakoff and Johnson: 1980, p. 27)
Identifying causes
The pressure of his responsibilities caused his breakdown.
He did it out of anger.
(Lakoff and Johnson: 1980, p. 27)
Setting goals and motivating actions
He went to New York to seek fame and fortune.
I’m changing my way of life so that I can find true happiness.
(Lakoff and Johnson: 1980, p. 27)
1.2.2.4.4. Conduit metaphor
Another type of conceptual metaphor which is found in (at least the everyday
English) language is conduit metaphor. This type of conceptual metaphor was
originally described by Michael J. Reddy in 1979. This conceptual metaphor states
that ideas are manipulatable things that can be packed into words and language, and
then transferred (given or sent) to someone, who can subsequently unpack the
words to uncover the ideas inside.
Lakoff and Johnson identify a large number of examples of this metaphor. For
examples:
“It’s hard to get that idea across to him.”
“I gave you that idea.”

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“It’s difficult to put my ideas into words”
(Lakoff and Johnson: 1980, p. 11)
When considering our everyday ways of talking about ideas and how we
communicate them to each other, it is difficult (if not impossible) to discuss them
without using this reference to a conduit for information exchange.
1.2.2.5. Metaphorical entailment
Firstly we shall go to explain what entailment is. Entailment is a term derived from
formal logic, meaning logical consequence. Richards et al. (1992: 125) define

emotional language is highly figurative; that is, it is dominated by metaphorical and
metonymic expressions.” Metaphor might allow people to express emotions which
are difficult or impossible to express if they are restricted to literal uses of language
(Ortony and Fainsilber: 1987). In other words, metaphor is a powerful device for
communicating emotion from two distinct perspectives.
Emotions are abstract concepts. The relation of an emotion to other concepts tends
to make the emotion more concrete, as Corlenia M. Verspoor (1993) points out in
his research that “Metaphors are extremely pervasive in language. They provide a
powerful manner of making abstract concepts explicit. For these reasons, they are
frequently utilized to describe emotional state.” And practically, the use of
metaphorical expressions helps us express our emotions better. Take the two
following sentences: “Tom’s sneer made his partner very angry” and “Tom’s sneer
made his partner blood boil”. It is clear that in the later the emotion of anger is
described more concrete and we can see the level of anger.
1.2.3. Summary
To sum up, we can say that metaphor is not only a matter of language; it is a matter
of thought. It is not used only in poetics but also pervasive in everyday
conversations. And metaphors play a central role in expression of emotional state.
And this is one of the bases for this study though it only deals with one conceptual
emotional metaphor “Anger is Heat”. 22
CHAPTER 2
A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE METAPHOR “ANGER IS HEAT”
IN ENGLISH AND THE POSSIBLE EQUIVALENT
EXPRESSIONS IN VIETNAMESE

In this chapter we will discuss the most general metaphor for anger: “Anger is
Heat”. This metaphor is used with a highly frequency both in English and in

(Lakoff and Kovecses: 1983)
AGITATION
- She was shaking with anger
- I was hoping mad.
(Lakoff and Kovecses: 1983)

INTERFERENCE WITH ACCURATE PERCEPTION
- She was blind with rage.
(Lakoff and Kovecses: 1983)
It has been argued also that the theory of physiological effects, especially the part
that emphasizes HEAT, forms the basis of the most general metaphor for anger
“Anger is Heat”. This metaphor has other two versions, one where the heat is
applied to fluids, and the other where the heat is applied to solids. When it is
applied to fluids we get: Anger is the Heat of a Hot Fluid in a Container. The
specific motivation for this consists of HEAT, INTERNAL PRESSURE and
AGITATION parts of the folk theory. When “Anger is Heat” is applied to solids,
we get the version “Anger is Fire”, which is motivated by the HEAT and
REDNESS aspects of the folk theory of physiological effects.
2.1.2. The cognitive basis of the equivalent metaphor “Anger is Heat” in
Vietnamese
In Vietnamese, we have available words widely accepted by the community and
based on that we can know the specific content of the concept of "anger".

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Vietnamese observes the same metonymic principle with English, and similar
metonymic expressions are found in everyday use:
BODY HEAT
Một người đàn ông nóng tính, “một chính trị gia”, hay một người cha thiểu
…, tất cả những người đó đều là Sean Penn, ảnh đế của Oscar lần thứ 81.
( />tri-gia-cua-hollywood.htm)

and the Vietnamese equivalents to point outs similarities and differences between
them.
2.2.1. The version “Anger is the Heat of a Hot Fluid in a Container” in English
and the Vietnamese equivalent
In this metaphor, the target domain “anger” is understood through the source
domain “the heat of a fluid in a container”. The mechanisms of this metaphor in
English and in Vietnamese are the same and based on a set of correspondences
between the source domain “the heat of a fluid in a container” and the target domain
“anger”. These correspondences are in two types: ontological and epistemic.
The ontological correspondences are the correspondences between the entities in the
source domain and the corresponding entities in the target domain. These
correspondences are, in other words, the mapping of the source domain onto the
target domain and can be defined as follows:
Source:
Target
The container
The body
The heat of a fluid
The anger
The heat scale
The anger scale, with and end points
zero and limit
Container heat
Body heat
Pressure in container
Internal pressure in the body
Agitation of fluid and container
Physical agitation
The limit of the container’s capacity to
the limit on the anger scale

Removing the cause of anger can
prevent it form being vented.
It is sometimes possible control the
release of heated fluid for either
destructive or constructive purposes; this
has the effect of lowering the level of
heat and pressure.
It is sometimes possible control the
release of anger for either destructive or
constructive purposes; this has the effect
of lowering the level of anger and
internal pressure.
These correspondences between source domain and target domain constitute
elaborations of conceptual metaphors. Here, based on these correspondences, the
central metaphor “Anger is the Heat of a Hot Fluid in a Container” has a rich
system of metaphorical entailments expressing different levels of increase of anger.
The following parts will investigate the system of metaphorical entailments of the
central metaphor “Anger is the Heat of a Hot Fluid in a Container” in English

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and the Vietnamese equivalent to find out the similarities and differences in the
expressions of anger between the two languages.
2.2.1.1. The entailment “Increase in the intensity of anger is the rising of the
fluid”
This entailment is yielded from the knowledge about fluids that when they start to
boil, the fluid goes upward. Metaphorical expressions belong to this entailment
express different levels of anger corresponding to the rising of the fluid from
starting point to the boiling point. Both English and Vietnamese have metaphorical
expressions belonged to this entailment
In English we have a numbers of metaphorical expressions for this like: gorge rise,

- Tôi quay sang Ngữ, mặt tím lại, mắt long sòng sọc. Nhưng Ngữ đã ngó lơ
chỗ khác. Tôi thấy nó mím môi lại, chắc là nó nén cười. (Nguyễn Nhật Ánh:
2011, p.140)
- Quốc Toản đứng phắt dậy, mắt long lên: “Ai chủ hoà? Ai chủ hoà? Cho nó
mượn đường ư? Không biết đấy là kế giả đồ diệt Quắc của nó đấy sao? Dâng
giang sơn gấm vóc này cho giặc hay sao mà lại bàn thế?”
( />khac/8514-la-co-theu-sau-chu-vang)
- Rõ vớ vẩn cho một thằng thanh niên hư hỏng như tôi khi nghĩ đến hai tiếng
hẹn hò. Nó làm tim gan tôi sôi lên bằng sự căm giận của trái tim si tình bị
ruồng bỏ. (Lê Vũ Trường Giang: 2010)
- Ông nội tôi biết chuyện tức sôi ruột, chửi bới cả gia đình nhà mẹ tôi. Tiếng
dữ đồn tới xóm làng bên kia sông.
(
In the expressions “mắt long sòng sọc” and “mắt long lên” there is no word “nóng”
or “sôi”, but “long sòng sọc” and “long lên” imply the boiling fluid.