Metaphoric Conceptualisation of the Emotion of Anger by Georgian, Armenian and Azeri Students

Abstract

This paper explores universal and culturally specific metaphorical models that Georgian, ethnic Azeri and Armenian students living in Georgia use to conceptualise anger. It examines how their languages and communities shape their understanding of this emotion through relevant linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural elements. Data for this research were collected using an electronic questionnaire in all three languages. Participants were asked to list five metaphorical expressions representing anger in their native languages and identify the metaphors they commonly used when discussing anger or an angry person. Several interviews were also held to specify details. Data collection took place in three stages. First, relevant items were identified from the completed questionnaires in the three languages. Next, the data were analysed and categorised into metaphorical models based on the types of source domains in the conceptual metaphors. Finally, the models were compared across the three languages and cultures, highlighting universal and variant metaphorical models and their cultural and sociolinguistic implications.