Il Concetto Di Acqua E Alcune Sue Rappresentazioni Linguistiche – Uno Studio Cognitivo

This paper explores the concept of acqua in Italian on the basis of linguistic data coming from: the Corpus della Repubblica, the Dizionario Treccani, the Dizionario delle collocazioni (Tiberii 2012) and the Dizionario Combinatorio Compatto Italiano (Lo Cascio 2012). First, the following phrases in acqua, sull’acqua and per acqua have been analyzed using image schemas such as: container, surface and path. Second, three conceptual metaphors have been formulated after the analysis of specific metaphoric language in context drawn from the Corpus della Repubblica. The analyzed instances of metaphoric extensions of acqua (source – domain) allow for the understanding of target domains such as: DESTRUCTIVE FORCES, DANGERS and ENEMIES. On the one hand, the research has proven that image schemas structure perceptual experience and consequently the meaning of linguistic expressions such as: in acqua, sull’acqua and per acqua. On the other, it has revealed the importance of conceptual metaphor in shaping the comprehension of the concept of acqua in Italian.