COMPREHENSION CONFIDENTIAL METHODS OF THE FLAVOR VOCABULARY “LAT” – SPICY IN CHINESE AND VIETNAMESES

Abstract

The taste metaphor plays an important role in human cognitive processes. Many abstract concepts are constructed through taste metaphors. From the perspective of cognitive linguistics, the article studies the conceptual metaphors of 辣lat (spicy) in Chinese and Vietnamese. Research results show that the metaphors of 辣lat (spicy) in Chinese and Vietnamese have similarities and differences. This partly reflects the similarities and differences in thinking methods and cultural experiences of the two ethnic groups. The conceptual metaphorical projections of spicy in Chinese and Vietnamese are almost the same, mainly including: auditory/tactile domain, personality domain, and psychological domain. But in a metaphorical sense, the taste of spicy in Chinese and Vietnamese shows many differences, which may be due to differences in cultures of each ethnic group.