Table 1.
Linguistic metaphors and conceptual metaphors in media discourse.
| Conceptual metaphors | Linguistic metaphors/high-frequency metaphoric words | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topic | Sub-topic/target domain | Source domain | Frequency | |
| Olympic spirit (n = 706, p = 38.96%) | Self-Challenge | War | 159 | 挑战(challenge), 拼搏(fight), 突破(break through) |
| Orientation | 64 | 更高(higher), 提升(raise), 高难度(high-difficulty), 顶尖(top) | ||
| Plant | 56 | 收获(reap), 摘(seize) | ||
| Fair Competition | Performance | 128 | 开幕(opening), 舞台(stage), 亮相(appearance), 主角/角色(protagonist), 大幕(act curtain) | |
| War | 125 | 激战(intense battle), 战胜(overcome), 征战(march into), 战绩(record), 将军(general) | ||
| Unity and Friendship | Journey | 107 | 目标(goal), 飞跃(leap forward), 出发(set off), 迈向(stepping towards), 旅(journey), 起点(start) | |
| Human | 67 | 携手(hand in hand), 相约(make a date) | ||
| Values of a community with a shared future for mankind (n = 588, p = 32.45%) |
Peaceful Development | Journey | 163 | 前行/前进(moving forward), 路(road), 前行之路(road forward), 脚步(step) |
| Heat/fire/light | 82 | 照亮(illuminate), 光芒(light), 温暖(warmth) | ||
| Performance | 25 | 奏响(play), 和音(harmony) | ||
| Cultural Exchange | Entertainment | 125 | 盛会(grand gathering), 故事(story) | |
| Education | 62 | 书写(write), 篇章(chapter), 史册(annals of history) | ||
| Unity and Mutual Assistance | Human | 80 | 共同体(community), 家庭(family), 迎接(welcome) | |
| Architecture | 51 | 筑(build), 窗口(window), 台阶(level), 平台(platform) | ||
| National image of China (n = 391, p = 21.58%) | Economic Prosperity | Power | 147 | 带动(drive), 动力(driving force), 推动(propel) |
| Plant | 77 | 开放(opening up), 成果(fruit), 绽放(bloom) | ||
| Technological Advancement | Journey | 41 | 迈向(step towards), 飞跃(leap forward), 路(road) | |
| Orientation | 38 | 提升(raise), 高科技(high-tech) | ||
| Human | 28 | 智慧(smart), 智能(intelligent) | ||
| Cultural Splendor | Art | 36 | 雪飞天(Snow Feitian), 底色(underlying color), 画卷(picture) | |
| Animal | 24 | 雪游龙(snow dragon), 雪飞燕(snow swallow) | ||
| Concept of sustainable development (n = 127, p = 7.01%) | Resource Recycling | Wealth | 72 | 遗产(legacy), 金山银山(mountains of gold and silver) |
| Human | 19 | 变身(shapeshift), 华丽转身(graceful turn) | ||
| Environmental Protection | Orientation | 30 | 低碳(low-carbon), 低能耗(low energy consumption) | |
| Plant | 6 | 生根(taking root), 发芽(sprout) | ||
Note on “Snow Feitian”: It refers to the Shougang Ski Big Jump, which features a design that resonates with the graceful curves of the “Feitian” in Dunhuang murals.