The topology-imagery of lexical basic and metaphorical meanings: the cases of Words of the Year in English, Chinese, and Russian

Abstract

The aim of this study is to elucidate the distribution of cognitive and perceptual information (CPI) in metaphorical meanings of Words of the Year in English, Chinese, and Russian and their underlying topological patterns. The novelty of this research lies in explaining cognitive and perceptual information in lexical semantics based on the topology-imagery hypothesis, offering a new cognitive perspective on lexical semantic understanding. By annotating the CPI types of Words of the Year in English, Chinese, and Russian over a span of ten consecutive years, this study compares the cognitive similarities and differences in metaphorical meanings across these languages and explores the underlying cognitive image-schematic patterns behind these similarities and differences. The findings reveal that five types of cognitive and perceptual information constitute the core cognitive mechanisms in the semantic relationships between basic and metaphorical meanings, with structural relationships (Type 3) emerging as a core cognitive pattern across these languages. Furthermore, the study identifies structural relationships (Type 3) and scenarios (Type 4) as the most prevalent types within English, Chinese, and Russian Words of the Year. Underlying cognitive and perceptual information are two topological patterns identified as universal methods for understanding lexical semantics.