The aim of this article is to discuss the semantic and etymological journey of 3 lexical items, that is "box", "coffin" and "casket" in the context of death related metaphors. It is also to study the linguistic productivity of the terms in question.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- How Did Jack Get in the “Box”; On the Container Metaphor in the Macrocategory of Death. The Case Study of Box, Coffin and Casket
- Introduction
- The Concept of Container
- Box
- History and Etymology
- Semantic Change
- Metaphorical Use
- Casket
- History and Etymology
- Semantic Change
- Metaphorical Use
- Coffin
- History and Etymology
- Semantic Change
- Metaphorical Use
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the metaphorical use of the terms "box", "casket", and "coffin" in relation to the macrocategory of "CONTAINER". It traces the semantic change of these terms over time, analyzing their original meanings as containers and their subsequent association with death and burial.
- The evolution of the container metaphor as applied to death and burial.
- The historical and etymological development of the terms "box", "casket", and "coffin".
- The semantic change of these terms from everyday objects to symbols of death.
- The metaphorical use of these terms in various contexts, including language, literature, and culture.
- The social and cultural implications of the container metaphor in relation to death and dying.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins by establishing the macrocategory of "CONTAINER" and its relevance to the study of death and burial. The author then examines the lexeme "box", exploring its historical and etymological roots, tracing its semantic development from a general container to a slang term for a coffin. The paper then moves on to "casket", discussing its etymology, initial meaning as a valuable container, and its subsequent association with death. Finally, the paper explores the lexeme "coffin", focusing on its historical usage and its evolution from a practical object to a culturally charged symbol. The paper analyzes how these terms have been employed metaphorically in various contexts, examining the social and cultural implications of these metaphors.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The paper explores the metaphorical use of the terms "box", "casket", and "coffin" in the context of death and burial. It examines the semantic change of these words over time, tracing their historical and etymological roots. The paper also analyzes the cultural and social implications of these metaphors, focusing on their usage in various contexts.
- Quote paper
- MA Paweł Migut (Author), 2014, How did Jack get in the "box"? On the container metaphor in the macrocategory of death, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/278311
