A Cognitive Insight into Cultural Differences between English and Chinese Metaphorical Concepts

In the long history of rhetoric,metaphor has been regarded as the deviation of normal language.However,cognitive linguists claim that metaphor should not only be a common language phenomenon,but also a cognitive process and thinking model,which is closely linked with culture.Influenced by shared non-cultural knowledge of human beings,both English and Chinese metaphorical concepts have three types: structural metaphor,orientation metaphor and container metaphor.Meanwhile,there are great differences between English and Chinese metaphorical concepts because of different cultures involved,especially regional cultures,thinking modes,values and national traditions and customs.It is suggested that metaphor be taught as breakthrough points so as to enhance cultural introduction in foreign language teaching.