A Study of the Conceptual Blending of Death in the Poetry of the Age of Ignorance Based on Gilles Fauconnier and Mark Turner’s Model of Four Mental Spaces

Haji Ghasemi, Farzaneh; Abedi Jozeini, Mehdi

doi:10.22059/jalit.2019.255348.611882

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Ph.D student, Arabic Language and Literature, University of Isfahan

² Assistant Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, University of Isfahan

https://doi.org/10.22059/jalit.2019.255348.611882

Abstract

The concrete portrayal of abstract concepts (especially the concept of “death”) is very evident in the poetry of the Age of Ignorance. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the manner of portrayal and creation of conceptual blending of “death” in this age. In order to explore this subject, we have employed the “four mental spaces” model developed by Gilles Fauconnier and Mark Turner to study a selection of poems written during the Age of Ignorance (The selection includes poems of Antarah ibn Shaddad, Zahayr ibn Abi Salma, Umayya ibn Abi al-Salt, Abu Zueyb Hozalli.). Then, we have provided a linguistic evaluation of their image/thought-evoking boundaries based on the principles of cognitive semantic theory. The results of the study indicate that some of the created concepts in these poems are not limited to one blending and require more blending models. This is explained by the poet’s mind and its ability to choose words and arrange them in a way that a new conceptual blending is created and, as a result, multiple images are evoked in the mind. The semantic networks of these poems are a single-scope network (conceptual metaphor) of two states with average creativity and a double-scope network of four states with maximum creativity. The blending of subjective concepts in the advanced semantic networks indicates the creativity of the poets of the Age of Ignorance, who, inspired by their surroundings, had managed to create a new dynamic space between words. Based on the studies of cognitive linguistics, the arrangement of words and their blending in compounds demonstrate the poets’ abilities in this field. Also, the pragmatics of conceptual blending enables the readers to view the cognitive components of the poetry of the Age of Ignorance in a new light and, subsequently, their perception of these concepts is widened.

Keywords

References

Refrences:

Abdullatif Jayawuk, M. (1977). Life and Death in Pre-Islamic Poetry. Iraqi Republic: Ministry of Islam Publications. [In Arabic].

Abi al-Saalat, O. (1998). Diwan (Poetry). Beirut: Sader Press. [In Arabic].

Al-Hadhli, A. (1945). Diwan Al-Hozalein (Poetry). Cairo: Library Al-Mesriya. [In Arabic].

Antara Ben Shaddad (1983). Diwan (Poetry). Beirut: Literature Publishing. [In Arabic].

Ardebili. L. (2015). "Semantic Context of Text from the Perspective of Conceptual Blending Theory". Linguistic Queries. Vol. 6. No. 5 (26). Pp. 27-47. [In Persian].

Barakat, B. (2012). "Cognitive Narratology (Applying Conceptual Blending Theory to Iranian Folklore)". Adeb Research. No. 21. Pp. 9-31. [In Persian].

Fakhouri. Hana (2010). The History of Arabic Literature and Literature from the Pre-Islamic to the Contemporary Century. Translated by Abdul Mohammad Ayati. No. 9. Tehran: Toos Publication. [In Persian].

Ghasemi Haji Abadi, L. (2011). Death and Life in the Poetry of Arab Poets. Encyclopedia. Pp. 99-114. [In Persian].

Golfam, A. and Fatemeh Yousefi-Rad (2002). "Cognitive Linguistics and Metaphor". Cognitive Science News. Vol. 4. No. 3. Pp. 59-64. [In Persian].

Haji Qasemi, F & Shameli, N (2016). "Semantic Verbs of the Verb Seeing in the Qur'anic Verses and Persian Translation (Based on Charles Filmore's Theoretical Semantics)". Quran and Hadith Translation Studies. No. 6. Pp. 57- 83. [In Persian].

Hessampour, S. & Sinai Noubandegani, H. (2015). "Investigating the Relationship between Critical Thinking Skills and Meaning-Making Processes in the Mind in a Red Hat. Thinking and Child ". Humanities and Cultural Studies Institute. Vol. 6. No. 1. Pp. 19-47. [In Persian].

Ibn Abi Salma, Z (1988). Diwan (Poetry). Beirut: Scientific Books Press. [In Arabic].

Rasakh mahand, M. (2014). An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics. Tehran: position Publication. [In Persian].

Shameli, N. & Haji Qasemi, F. (1986). " Radial Category of Meanings for the Verb Seeing "DIDAN" In Nahj Al-Balagha Sermons on the Basis of Frame Semantics (The Case of Verb “Raʾā” Based on Dashti. Ja'fari and Shahidi Translations). Nahjah Al-Balaghe Journal. No. 5. Pp.101-124. [In Persian].

Shoura, M. (1995). Poetry of Lamentations in the Pre-Islamic Period. Beiru

A Study of the Conceptual Blending of Death in the Poetry of the Age of Ignorance Based on Gilles Fauconnier and Mark Turner’s Model of Four Mental Spaces

References

References

Volume 11, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2October 2019Pages 151-166

Volume 11, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
October 2019
Pages 151-166