Book chapter
Conflicting Identities: A Comparative Study of Non-Commensurate Root Metaphors in Basque and European Image Schemata
Language and Ideology. Vol. 2. Cognitive Descriptive Approaches, pp.135-160
John Benjamins
01/01/2001
Abstract
Traditional Basque image schemata (TBIS) are compared to common European image schemata (CEIS), focusing on color connotations. The CEIS are based on the mutually exclusive, hierarchically organized opposition of black vs white; this opposition is related to the Great Chain of Being cultural model, in which white coincides with positive moral values &, ultimately, with human beings & God, whereas black coincides with negative values & "lower" life forms. In contrast, the TBIS are based on the complementary opposition of black vs red, in which black is associated with good health, healing, & good luck. It is surmised that the TBIS are a remnant of a pre-Christian pan-European value matrix, in which humans traced their origin as a species to bears, & in which oppositions like those between mind & body were unknown. The difference in color schemata is exemplified with the interpretation of the phrase black sheep, which is positive in Basque. Finally, the general benefit of TBIS analysis for insight into the cognitive structure of historical pan-European beliefs is addressed. 3 Tables, 78 References. S. Paul
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Conflicting Identities: A Comparative Study of Non-Commensurate Root Metaphors in Basque and European Image Schemata
- Creators
- Roslyn M FrankMikel Susperregi
- Contributors
- René Dirven (Editor)Roslyn M Frank (Editor) - University of Iowa, Spanish and PortugueseCornelia Ilie (Editor)
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Language and Ideology. Vol. 2. Cognitive Descriptive Approaches, pp.135-160
- Publisher
- John Benjamins; Amsterdam; Philadelphia
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2001
- Academic Unit
- Spanish and Portuguese
- Record Identifier
- 9984093241102771
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