Analysis of Mandarin Parts of Speech in Metaphors in Master 卢军宏 Lú Jūnhóng’s Lecture Videos

Abstract

Research on metaphors has developed rapidly in various fields of linguistics, including semantics, pragmatics, and cognitive linguistics. However, studies on the topical elements of metaphors classified by word class in Mandarin Chinese remain relatively limited. This study aims to describe the topic elements of metaphors in Buddhist religious lecture videos delivered by Master 卢军宏 Lú Jūnhóng and to classify them based on Mandarin word types. The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach using the observation and note-taking method. The data consist of twelve Mandarin-language Buddhist lecture videos published via digital media. Analysis was conducted using Parera’s metaphor structure theory, which identifies the topic as the element being discussed in a metaphor; these topic elements were then analyzed based on Mandarin morphological theory. The results show that the topic element of metaphors is realized in three main forms: 单纯词 dānchúncí (single words), 联合式合成词 liánhéshì héchéngcí (coordinative compound words), and 主谓式合成词 zhǔwèishì héchéngcí (subject-predicate compound words). Of all the data, the most dominant form is the 联合式合成词. The dominance of this form indicates that the formation of metaphors in religious sermons tends to utilize compound words that have strong semantic relationships between morphemes, thereby clarifying the conveyance of abstract spiritual concepts.