Abstract：Since late 1970s, metaphor research has become a hot topic, especially in recent years. There are papers applying metaphor theory to foreign language learning and teaching in many fields. Metaphor is not only a linguistic phenomenon, but also a common mode of human thinking and cognition. The development of vocabulary also involves metaphor, which means “Polysemy benefits from metaphor”. The basic meanings of many words originate from their metaphorical meanings. However, by frequent use, people gradually forget their metaphorical meanings and they gradually become common vocabulary. Therefore, understanding the application of metaphor is the key to vocabulary learning. Denominal verbs as one kind of polysemy, is a typical example to explain the application of metaphor to vocabulary. Based on some foreign and domestic scholars’ researches, this dissertation aims to explain metaphor in English vocabulary learning from the perspective of denominal verbs. Vocabulary learning is a very important and difficult part of English learning. But most English learners just depend on the conventional methods of vocabulary learning, and seldom pay attention to the inner cognitive connection of vocabulary. So it is highly important and necessary to apply metaphorical thinking to English vocabulary learning. It is hoped that the findings of this dissertation will provide insights into the comprehension of metaphor and give some inspiration for English vocabulary learning.
Key Words: metaphor；polysemy；denominal verbs；English vocabulary learning
摘要：自20世纪70年代末期起，隐喻研究开始成为热门话题，尤其是近几年，有很多论文研究了将隐喻理论应用到语言学习和教学中的各个领域。隐喻不仅是一种语言现象，也是人类的思维和认知的一种模式。词汇的发展具有隐喻性，换言之，多义词得益于隐喻。很多词汇的基本意义都源自它们的隐喻，然而，由于使用频繁，人们渐渐淡忘了它们的隐喻义而将其视为普通词汇。因此，理解掌握隐喻的应用是词汇学习的关键。作为多义词的一种，名词动用的典型性能很好地解释隐喻在词汇中的应用。本论文基于国内外学者研究的基础上，从名词动用的角度去解释英语隐喻性思维在英语词汇学习中的应用。在英语学习过程中，词汇学习始终是一个非常重要的部分，但同时也是学生颇感吃力的部分。但绝大多数的英语学习者在词汇学习过程中仅仅依赖传统的词汇学习法，却很少关注词汇内部的认知联系。所以将隐喻性思维引入到词汇学习中显得意义重大而有必要。希望本论文的研究发现能为理解隐喻提供新的视野并能为英语词汇学习提供灵感。
关键词：隐喻；多义词；名词动用；英语词汇学习
