An Image Schema Theoretic Analysis of None-Literal Meanings of Prepositions in English and Arabic Religious Texts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31973/mt9af862Keywords:
Cognitive linguistics, Cognitive grammar, Image schema, PrepositionsAbstract
This paper investigates the non-literal meanings of prepositions in English and Arabic religious texts, focusing on how image schemas shape these meanings. Prepositions are widely used in religious discourse, literally and nonliterally according to the contexts in which they are used. When a preposition is used metaphorically, its intended meaning may not be immediately clear to readers; this can lead to misunderstanding and ambiguity. This paper aims to address this gap by examining how prepositions in both English and Arabic convey not only literal spatial relations but also abstract, cultural, and religious concepts. This paper explores the cognitive mechanisms underlying prepositional usage, revealing the role of embodied experiences and conceptual structures in interpreting spatial and metaphorical relationships. To achieve the objectives of this paper, selected instances from the Holy New Testament Bible and the Glorious Quran are analyzed in light of Johnson's (1987) image schema theory as the model of the cognitive approach. The study highlights the significance of these prepositions extension in shaping the interpretation of the texts and clarifying the intended meanings of the verses. The findings suggest the image schemas used in both languages show similarities; cultural and conceptual differences lead to unique applications of these schemas. English typically uses more abstract and dynamic frames, whereas Arabic generally relies on concrete and relational frames.
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