Tiêu đề 1. Toàn văn Luận án_NCS Nguyễn Thị Thuỳ Linh- đăng 8.10.24.pdf ✅

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation on Motion-emotion metaphors in English and Vietnamese represents the culmination of a profound journey of academic and personal growth that I have been fortunate to embark on over the past few years. The completion of this work could not have been possible without the generous support and guidance of many individuals to whom I owe my deepest gratitude. First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt thanks to my supervisor, Assoc. Prof.Dr. Hoang Tuyet Minh. Her unwavering support, insightful critiques, and inspirational guidance have been the bedrock of this research. Her expertise in statistical analysis and meticulous attention to detail have been indispensable. I am profoundly grateful for her dedication and mentorship throughout this academic endeavor. I am also immensely thankful to Dr. Huynh Anh Tuan for his invaluable advice on the conceptual framework and research methodology. His assistance in refining the research questions and addressing critical issues has significantly enhanced the quality of this thesis. Furthermore, his encouragement has deepened my interest and belief in the study of motion- emotion metaphors. My appreciation extends to my thesis committee members, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hung Tien, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Ho Ngọc Trung and Dr. Le Phuong Thao. Their constructive feedback and insightful comments have been crucial in refining this dissertation. I am particularly indebted to Assoc.Prof.Dr. Ho Ngọc Trung for his motivational advice to “Keep walking, keep walking, then you will reach the destination”, which has been a guiding beacon throughout this process. My heartfelt thanks go to my family – my mother, my husband, my younger brother, my lovable children, and my aunt – for their endless love, patience, and support. Their encouragement and assistance in times of challenge have been a source of strength and motivation. I also extend my gratitude to my colleagues and classmates whose camaraderie and shared wisdom have enriched my research experience.
iii ABSTRACT This study investigates the conceptualization of emotions through motion in English and Vietnamese, examining the construct and application of motion-emotion metaphors (MEMs) in both languages. The research is pivotal as it delves into the cognitive and linguistic frameworks that shape emotional expressions, which are fundamental for enhancing cross-cultural communication and understanding in language learning and translation. The methodology adopted for this study involved a qualitative, descriptive, and comparative analysis of 243 examples from 150 novels and stories in English and Vietnamese, published since 2000. The data was systematically analyzed to identify and compare MEMs based on predefined criteria, focusing on domains, image schemas, frames, and mental spaces as suggested by Kövecses (2017). The study’s key findings reveal that English and Vietnamese use 106 and 132 motion verbs, respectively, to express emotions, underlining the significance of motion in emotional conceptualization in both languages. A total of 95 metaphors in English and 102 in Vietnamese were identified, highlighting distinct patterns in their metaphorical expression: English metaphors predominantly involved whole-body movements, whereas Vietnamese metaphors frequently featured organ-specific movements. This suggests nuanced interlingual differences in how emotions are physically conceptualized. The implications of these findings are profound for the fields of language education and translation between English and Vietnamese. Understanding these unique metaphorical frameworks enhances teaching methodologies by integrating culturally relevant examples of emotional expression and facilitates more nuanced and accurate translations. Additionally, the insights into the cognitive underpinnings of MEMs can enrich theoretical linguistics and cognitive science research, offering deeper perspectives into how language and thought are interlinked across cultures.