Journal of Linguistic and Rhetorical Studies

Journal of Linguistic and Rhetorical Studies

Genealogy of Mega-metaphors of Disease and Treatment in Traditional, Modern and, Folk Medicine vs. Narrative Texts

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
ُShayesteh Sadat Mousavi 1
Mahmood Rahimi 2
1 Assistant professor of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran (Corresponding Author)
2 Assistant professor of Persian Language and Literature Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22075/jlrs.2025.35801.2552
Abstract
The theory of cognitive metaphor is the product of the modern cognitive linguistic approach to metaphor. This research investigates the connection between cognitive and conceptual metaphors and historical paradigms. Accordingly, metaphors of illness and treatment have been chosen as the target samples to argue that as historical developments have resulted in the transformation of historical paradigms as well as cognitive mega-metaphors. In this research, four domains, 1) traditional medicine, 2) modern medicine, 3) folk medicine and 4) anecdotes related to illness and treatment have been observed. Using a genealogical method, this research shows that the dominance of humoral approach over traditional medicine creates the macro-metaphor of "disease as an imbalance" and "treatment as a return to balance". In modern medicine, the focus on fatal factors such as microbes, viruses, cancer cells along with human capability in coping with diseases, creates the metaphor of "disease as war" and "treatment as victory". As the main paradigm in folk beliefs, spiritualism shapes the metaphor of "disease as evil spirit/possession" and "treatment as rescue and release" in folk medicine. But the anecdotes related to illness and treatment in narrative texts are influenced by the paradigm of persuasion, which is completely different from conventional medical paradigms. The nature of persuasion and fantasy result in the construction of metaphors such as "illness as punishment", "treatment as reward" and "medicine as creativity".
Keywords
Metaphor
genealogy
paradigm
disease and treatment
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Journal of Linguistic and Rhetorical Studies
Volume 16, Issue 41
Summer 2025
Pages 157-182