Metaphorical Discourse in Chinese Oral Epics

This book offers an interdisciplinary investigation into the role of metaphorical language in Chinese oral epics. Rooted in cognitive-pragmatic theory, it analyzes how metaphorical discourse operates, both as a cognitive tool and a pragmatic strategy, in shaping and transmitting the cultural narratives embedded in these epics. Integrating theoretical frameworks from cognitive linguistics and pragmatics with a bilingual corpus, the work explores metaphorical patterns and their functions in oral performance. By connecting micro-level linguistic features to macro-level cultural logic, it proposes a Three-Layer, Six-Mechanism Model, describing how metaphor links individual cognition, communal discourse, and cultural continuity. Furthermore, the study discusses cross-epic variations and seeks to contribute to international metaphor studies by sharing perspectives from Chinese oral traditions, while addressing broader debates on cultural heritage and narrative studies.