Conceptualization of Dast as Persian Equivalent for ‘Hand’ in Iranian Expressions and Proverbs

As many studies (e.g. Lakoff & Johnson, ۱۹۸۰; Lakoff, ۱۹۹۸) have revealed metaphorical language is an essential part of human life, including language, thought and action. Using body-part terms provides a conceptual basis for shaping a relatively large number of conceptualizations in Persian. Drawing on the tenets of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, ۱۹۸۳, ۲۰۰۳). This study aims to investigate ۱۵۰۰۰ Persian proverbs and ۲۵۰۰۰ Persian expressions in light of the body part "Hand" and the way it is realized metaphorically. The results show that hand is conceptualized as being either equivalent to or the container of sentiments, sympathy, desires, tolerance, audacity, also thoughts and memories. A set of Persian expressions also reflects conceptualizations of hand as the symbol of personality traits, character, and mood. Generally, it appears that the body part hand provides a conceptual foundation for speakers of Persian to represent their cognitive, emotional, socio-cultural, and linguistic experiences.

کلیدواژه ها:

conceptual metaphor theory ، expressions and proverbs ، body part terms cognitive ، socio- cultural ، linguistic expressions