CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR AND MENTAL REPRESENTATION IN ENGLISH

This thesis explores the relationship between conceptual metaphor and mental representation in English within the framework of cognitive linguistics. Based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory proposed by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, the study investigates how abstract concepts are understood through concrete experiential domains and how these metaphorical mappings shape human cognition. Particular attention is given to the cognitive mechanisms underlying metaphor formation and their contribution to mental representation. The findings demonstrate that conceptual metaphors are fundamental cognitive structures that reflect cultural values, guide reasoning, and facilitate the interpretation of abstract experiences.