Does the Spatial-Temporal Metaphor in Mandarin and English Influence Time Perception?

Sinan Yang

2025

Abstract

This paper is a literature review of studies on the relationship between spatial-temporal metaphor and time perception in Mandarin and English. English has only horizontal metaphors, while Mandarin has both horizontal and vertical metaphors. If the presence of vertical metaphors affects the way Mandarin and English speakers perceive time, support is given to linguistic relativity. The paper divides studies based on whether a linguistic paradigm is used. Two studies by Boroditsky are mainly discussed. It is concluded that vertical temporal metaphors prime Mandarin speakers with a tendency to perceive time vertically. Although many aspects are open and yet not answered, the evidence supports a weak statement of linguistic relativity.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Yang S. (2025). Does the Spatial-Temporal Metaphor in Mandarin and English Influence Time Perception?. In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Innovative Education and Social Development - Volume 1: IESD; ISBN 978-989-758-779-5, SciTePress, pages 113-119. DOI: 10.5220/0013968500004912

in Bibtex Style

@conference{iesd25,
author={Sinan Yang},
title={Does the Spatial-Temporal Metaphor in Mandarin and English Influence Time Perception?},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Innovative Education and Social Development - Volume 1: IESD},
year={2025},
pages={113-119},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013968500004912},
isbn={978-989-758-779-5},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Innovative Education and Social Development - Volume 1: IESD
TI - Does the Spatial-Temporal Metaphor in Mandarin and English Influence Time Perception?
SN - 978-989-758-779-5
AU - Yang S.
PY - 2025
SP - 113
EP - 119
DO - 10.5220/0013968500004912
PB - SciTePress