Abstract: The article aims to study the role of metaphor in English word formation. Through research, the author holds the view that metaphor plays an important role in the evolution of vocabulary. Metaphor may result in polysemy, change of word class, making great contribution to the formation of idioms Hence it is one of major factors in the course of English word-formation. Metaphor is both a cognitive and linguistic phenomenon. At linguistic level it is the result of the tool for human metaphoric cognition. The metaphoric process and derivational process may overlap, which sheds light on the transfer of metaphors. The metaphoric process provides some implications on vocabulary teaching in English. The findings in the study may help students better comprehend the word meanings, master the pattern of word formation and expand their vocabulary.

Key words: metaphor: word-formation; vocabulary; cognition; role; English

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1.Introduction 1

1.1Introduction to Metaphor

1.2Introduction to the Way for Word-Formation in English

2. Literature Review. 2

3. The Role of Metaphor in English Word-Formation 3    

3.1 The Role of Metaphor in Derivative Words

  3.2 The Role of Metaphor in Compound Words

3.3 The Role of Metaphor in Blending

3.4 The Role of Metaphor in Other Cases

4. Classification of Metaphor Words Denoting Animals. 5

4.1 Common Words 

4.2 Idioms

5. The Macro Function of Metaphor in English Vocabulary6

  5.1. Linguistic Function

    5.1.1 Filling the Vocabulary Gap

    5.1.2 Increasing the Accuracy and Vividness

  5.2. Easy to Remember

  5.3. Increasing the productivity of vocabulary

6.Suggestions for Teaching   7

  6.1 The Basis of the Theory of Metaphor Used in English Teaching

  6.2 Metaphor in Language Teaching Goal

  6.3 Strengthen Vocabulary Learning

7. Conclusion.   8

Bibliography.   9

Acknowledgments.  10