The Conceptual Metaphor UNDERSTANDING/KNOWING IS HEARING in Georgian Language and Culture

Abstract

This paper, which is part of the ongoing research, deals with one of the instantiations of the generic-level conceptual metaphor COGNITION IS PERCEPTION, namely, UNDERSTANDING/KNOWING IS HEARING in the Georgian language and culture (the issue almost unexplored in Georgian). In order to reveal the significance of the mentioned metaphor for the Georgian language community, intrafield (i.e., across sensory modalities) as well as transfield (i.e., across different domains) semantic extensions reflected in Georgian lexemes for the hearing modality were studied and compared with metonymic and metaphoric extensions linked to the vision and intellection domains. The research was conducted within the framework of cognitive linguistics, lexical semantics, cultural studies and Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. The results of the study show that for intrafield semantic extensions across sensory modalities in Georgian, the hearing modality is at the top of the hierarchy. Regarding patterns of transfield semantic extensions, alongside widely accepted image-schemas associated with hearing (hear>heed>understand>obey), Georgian lexical units tend to develop meanings of considering, getting the message, grasping the idea, believing, learning something, realizing and knowing. The paper argues that the importance of hearing to the Georgian language and culture stems from the primacy of musical and interpersonal intelligences within the community.