And Action! : A Study of the Semantic Domains of Action through Interpretation of Metaphor

Abstract: The aim of this essay is determining and describing some of the semantic domains of the concept of action. Action belongs to the type of abstract nouns with unclear semantic domains. In other words, there are difficulties in determining the precise semantic patterns that the word ‘action’ refers to. In order to shed light on the semantic domains of action, a collection of metaphors using words for body parts has been studied. In metaphor, action can be denoted, described or used to denote or describe something else. That means semantic references to actions can be contained within metaphoric expressions, not the least in metaphors applying words for body parts. This study focuses on hands, feet and fingers. Their respective conceptual models are analysed, to see how they pertain to action as a phenomenon. The discussion subsequently identifies the semantic patterns that relate to how these body parts are conceptualised in the English language. The semantic domains inferred are related to neuropsychology, in order to show how similar patterns have been identified and described in relation to action. The conclusion of this essay is that the semantic domains of space, time, motion and intention are referred to as integral to the meaning of action. In other words, that which is denoted by the word ‘action’ is a movement that occurs in a conceptual space and time, with an intention. As the study shows, also metaphors that describe or denote inactivity adhere to this pattern in reversed form.