An analysis of Conceptual Metaphors in Surah Yūsuf

This paper aims to examine three types of conceptual metaphors in Surah Yūsuf based on the cognitive linguistics approach and by using a descriptive-analytical method. So, first, the conceptual metaphor and its varieties are introduced and explained. Then, in three forms of structural, orientational, and ontological metaphors, the existing concepts in Surah Yusuf are analyzed. According to the results, in Surah Yūsuf, the concepts of life, time, and knowing have been conceptualized in the structures of travel and business, place and moving object, and seeing (structural metaphors) respectively. Also, the concepts of power, supremacy, virtue, and spiritual rank are portrayed according to the mentioned theory. Moreover, regarding the ontological metaphors, the concepts of covenant, deception, truth, the smell of Joseph, and misleading have gained physical features and were embodied in the shape of objects for the listener. Similarly, some concepts, including soul, hurt and troubles, divine aid, suffering, and doomsday have been conceptualized based on the characteristics of creatures to be more comprehensible for the listeners.