THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN METAPHOR RESEARCH ACROSS LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION

Abstract

This article examines major theoretical developments in metaphor research across linguistics and translation studies. Drawing on a literature-based methodology, the analysis synthesizes key scholarly works to trace how metaphor, once regarded primarily as a rhetorical device, has been reinterpreted within semantic, pragmatic, and cognitive frameworks. The study traces the evolution of metaphor from a stylistic phenomenon to a fundamental mechanism of human cognition and meaning-making. Particular attention is given to the implications of these theoretical shifts for the analysis and translation of metaphor across languages. The paper highlights the role of conceptual mapping, cultural context, and interpretive strategies in shaping metaphorical meaning. By integrating insights from cognitive linguistics and translation theory, the study demonstrates that metaphor is both a cognitive and communicative phenomenon that requires context-sensitive interpretation.