A Cognitive Linguistic Study on the Polysemous Chinese Word “头”

Abstract

The prototype category serves as the foundation for polysemy which is extended via metonymy and metaphor. As cognitive linguistics advances, it has become apparent that metaphor and metonymy are not merely poetic embellishments for language. Rather, they constitute a mode of thought and a form of cognition, by which we gain comprehension of new concepts. Due to the fact that the head is the most significant portion of the human body, it is frequently used in linguistic expressions. This study adopts qualitative descriptive study through the framework of prototype theory, metaphor, metonymy, and iconicity to make an analysis of the polysemous Chinese character “头” (head), which contributes to our understanding of the intricate interplay between language, cognition, and cultural associations.