LANGUAGE IN INDIA

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Volume 24:1 January 2024
ISSN 1930-2940

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Exploring the Metaphorical Richness of Agricultural Lexemes in Tamil:
A Cultural Tapestry Unveiled

Dr. Subramanian Alagappan


Abstract

This research article delves into the metaphorical extensions within agricultural lexemes in the Tamil language, unraveling a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural interplay. The study explores how metaphors, rooted in the foundational activity of agriculture, serve as powerful conduits for expressing diverse facets of human experience. The metaphorical journey spans lexical items such as talaiyeṭu, kaḷaiyeṭu, allakkai, maṭaima:ṛṛu, and vaṭika:l, revealing the dynamic interplay between language, culture, and agricultural practices. This analysis highlights the complexity of language evolution, where metaphors rooted in specific cultural practices offer a unique lens through which individuals express and conceptualize abstract ideas. The metaphorical extension of agricultural lexemes serves as a testament to the dynamic interplay between language, culture, and human experiences.

Keywords: Agriculture – Metaphor – talaiyeṭu, kaḷaiyeṭu, allakkai, maṭaima:ṛṛu, and vaṭika:l

0. Introduction

Human creativity is evident in the way individuals perceive new concepts through the lens of their familiar and experienced activities. As people engage with the nature of objects and activities, they often encounter unexplainable nuances that shape their understanding. Metaphor, as a linguistic device, plays a crucial role in this cognitive process. Carter (2004) thoroughly investigates the intricate domain of linguistic expression, examining the pivotal role of metaphor in cognitive processes. Metaphors, manifested through their widespread use in everyday language, function as imaginative instruments in human discourse, facilitating the depiction of a wide range of emotions and experiences. While psycholinguistic research has yielded insights into metaphor comprehension (Gibbs, 1994; Glucksberg, 2001; Kintsch, 2000; Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), the study of how the mind generates metaphors is a burgeoning field (Chiappe & Chiappe, 2007; De Barros et al., 2010; Pierce & Chiappe, 2009; Silvia & Beaty, 2012). The present article is a lexicographer’s point view of metaphorical extension of agricultural lexemes.

Individuals tend to categorize entities based on their inherent qualities, a cognitive mechanism deeply ingrained in human nature. This categorization allows for a more accessible and relatable interpretation of the surrounding world. For instance, within a specific African social group, the classification of 'women' within the category of 'dangerous things' exemplifies how such cognitive processes can lead to unique perspectives and associations. This phenomenon underscores the intricate interplay between human cognition, language, and cultural perceptions. Metaphor is a word or phrase that is used in an imaginative way to show that somebody/something has the same qualities as another thing (Metaphor, Jan, 2024). According to George Lakoff (1987), metaphor involves the mapping of cognitive structures from one domain to another within the cognitive process.


This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.


Dr. Subramanian Alagappan
Senior Fellow (ICSSR)
Department of Linguistics
School of Linguistics and Communication
Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021
Tamilnadu, India
suloog@yahoo.com

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