The Comparison of Semantic Cognition: A Case Study of “Head” in Chinese-Thai Language

Abstract

At present, metonymy and metaphor are recognized as are flection of the basic human thinking. In this regard, human body parts are the basis and strating point of human cognition.Through investigation and statistics, it is found that a number of Chinese-Thai languages are related to “head”. In other word, the comparison using the body organ“head” is considerable. On this basis, this paper attempts to systematically compare them from the three perspectives including spatial metaphor, container metaphor, and metonymy. Research results showed that metonymy and metaphor expressions are derived from “head” in both languages. The two languages share such similarities, Both are based on expression and the interaction of metonymy and metaphor. Due to cultural constraints, there will be certain differences between the two people in treating the same things. This shows the uniqueness cultural values of the two people.