The conceptual metaphor – SAD IS DOWN is less used in Vietnamese than in English. The feelings of sadness in Vietnamese are often expressed through body parts such as eyes, face, back or shoulder but very few of them are expressed in the downward direction. Additionally, the downward orientation in Vietnamese is applied to separate body parts rather than to the whole body as in English.
Of all the explanation for this difference, the theory that sounds most convincing is that such difference stems from the traditional belief in medical treatment of Asians and Westerners. In ancient Asian society, it was believed that emotions had been generated and controlled by human organs rather than a body as a whole, which explains why the sad feelings
Of all the explanation for this difference, the theory that sounds most convincing is that such difference stems from the traditional belief in medical treatment of Asians and Westerners. In ancient Asian society, it was believed that emotions had been generated and controlled by human organs rather than a body as a whole, which explains why the sad feelings