Motivational Typology in Conceptual Metaphor Theory

Abstract

Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) has undergone significant development since its early formulation, leading to more refined accounts of how and why metaphors emerge in human cognition. One of the most influential advances is the introduction of motivational typology, which explains the cognitive and experiential grounding of metaphorical mappings. This article examines motivational typology within conceptual metaphor theory, focusing on empirically grounded distinctions such as correlation-based and resemblance-based motivation, as well as later extensions incorporating cultural, pragmatic, and discourse-based factors. Drawing on the works of Joseph Grady, Zoltán Kövecses, Raymond Gibbs, Gerard Steen, and N. D. Arutyunova, the study analyzes how different motivational mechanisms contribute to metaphor formation and why these mechanisms complicate attempts at systematization. The article argues that metaphorical concepts cannot be classified solely by structural or semantic criteria, as their motivation reflects dynamic interactions between embodied experience, cognition, culture, and discourse.