A cognitive approach to the study of metaphorical contrasts and conceptualization of the semantic domains of truth and lies in the Hadiths

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Azadeh Sharifi Moghaddam 1
Fatemeh Tahmasebi 2
Fatemeh Habibi 3
1 Associate professor of linguistics at Shahid Bahonar of Kerman
2 PhD candidate of linguistics in the Sistan and Baluchestan University
3 Postdoctoral Quranic and Hadith Sciences researcher, Department of Quranic Studies and Hadith, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Alzahra University
10.22034/zehn.2025.2022403.2018
Abstract
This study examines the metaphorical use of language in two moral traits—truthfulness and lying—across a collection of fourteen Hadiths of the Maʿsūm (peace be upon them). The primary aim is to explore how metaphors function as cognitive devices in these Hadiths and to identify the source domains employed to conceptualize the corresponding target domains. To this end, relevant Hadiths were extracted from authoritative Shiʿa sources and analyzed within the framework of Lakoff and Johnson’s cognitive theory of metaphor. The findings indicate that the number of Hadiths prohibiting lying is significantly greater than those emphasizing truthfulness. The most frequent source domains used to conceptualize the two target domains were related to notions of blessing/scarcity, salvation/destruction, up/down, near/far, beauty/ugliness, light/darkness, as well as virtuous and immoral individuals and places. Notably, several of these conceptualizations align closely with themes found in Qur’anic verses. Overall, the study demonstrates how various forms of metaphorical conceptualization contribute to a deeper understanding of moral and abstract concepts
Keywords
Hadiths"
truthfulness
lying"
cognitive linguistics"
"
conceptual metaphors"

Subjects

 
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