“Scientific and Specialized Journal of Modern Literary Research”

“Scientific and Specialized Journal of Modern Literary Research”

A study of conceptual metaphors in the Masnavi of Layla and Majnun about natural phenomena and animals: the theory of conceptual mixture.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
hajar rigi 1
FARIDEH OKATI 2
ahmad mojavezi 2
1 PhD student in General Linguistics, Zabol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of General Linguistics, Zabol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran.
Abstract
This study examines conceptual metaphors in Leyli's Masnavi and Majnun Nizami, focusing on the two domains of "natural phenomena" and "animals", based on the conceptual mixture theory of Fauconnier and Turner (1998-2002). In this theory, metaphors are analyzed using mental spaces (two input spaces, a general space, and a mixed space). The findings show that among the 1,100 identified metaphors, the domains of "natural phenomena" with a frequency of 213 (19.36%) and "animals" with a frequency of 152 (13.9%) were used the most. The chi-square test (with a value of 2.2e-16) confirmed that the difference between the frequencies of these metaphors is significant (p<0.05).
The results indicate that Nizami used these conceptual domains to reflect the tangible world and abstract concepts, creating a deep connection between nature, animals, and human experiences. The high frequency of these metaphors also indicates the poet's special attention to objective life and human interaction with the environment. This research emphasizes the richness of Nizami's imagery and the purposeful use of metaphors in conveying human concepts.
Keywords
Layla and Majnun
natural phenomena
animals
conceptual mixture
Subjects
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“Scientific and Specialized Journal of Modern Literary Research”
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 8
autumn and winter 2025
September 2025
Pages 115-137