Metaphorization of the PATH source domain (based on the lexis of popular science biology discourse)

Abstract. The subject of the research. The peculiarities of functioning of metaphorical nominations conceptualizing the PATH source domain obtained from Russian popular science magazines on biology. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that it contains Russian metaphorical units belonging to the PATH conceptual domain that have never been elicited and analysed before; their functions have also been identified. At present different types of popular science discourse is the main focus of attention of academics from various fields of study. However, very few works which analyse the functioning of linguistic peculiarities of popular science biology discourse can be found. The biology popular science discourse is one of the representatives of the natural science type of discourse. This article attempts to classify metaphorical nominations belonging to the popular science biology discourse, namely, the PATH conceptual domain. The aim of this piece of study is to analyse this conceptual metaphor in popular science biology discourse. The work is based on the conceptual metaphor theory (CMT) designed by G. Lakoff and A.P. Chudinov, the author uses the blend of both theories. The analysis is based on the 200 Russian lexemes obtained from Russian popular science magazines which encompass various domains of natural science knowledge, a continuous sampling method was used. In this research the follows methods are presented: descriptive method was used for the describing the contexts showing the functioning of conceptual metaphor. Componential method was used to elicit the primary meanings of the analysed lexemes. The method of conceptual analysis was also utilized for eliciting the structure of the PATH conceptual domain. This work concludes that there is an incongruity between the primary and the metaphorical meaning of the lexemes, the main conceptual feature is achieving a destination. The analysis of the lexemes gives validation to the hypothesis that metaphor has a narrative potential, realizing some functions in the text. The results of the study enhance the understanding of the peculiarities of popular science biology discourse and the construction of a metaphorical thesaurus. The results of the study can be used to explain biology notions and concepts employing vivid metaphors.