Conceptualization of 'Foot' metaphors in Persian and English idioms/proverbs: an intercultural communication study

Abstract

Peoples' experiences with their bodies play an essential role in the emergence of figurative thought. Hence, body-organ terms as a mapping process between the two domains are closely connected to the speakers' conceptual system. This study investigates the conceptualization of 'foot' in as many as 10000 Persian proverbs and idioms in six related Iranian proverb books. Conducting a corpus-based analysis,  based on  Schematic's model of conceptualization of cultural cognition developed by Sharifian (2011). This study elucidates how 'Pa,' the Persian equivalent for Foot, is conceptualized as being either tantamount to or being in the locality of feelings, thoughts, memories, and personality traits. Based on the findings,  the body part 'Pa' provides a conceptual foundation for Persian speakers to represent their cognitive, emotional, socio-cultural, and linguistic experiences.   Keywords: Body organs; Conceptual Metaphor Theory; Intercultural communication; Intercultural sensitivity.