Metaphor And Metonymy As Basic Models Of Semantic Transfer

Abstract

Metaphor and metonymy are widely recognized as fundamental cognitive and linguistic mechanisms that shape the development of lexical meaning. Traditionally treated as rhetorical devices, they are now understood as basic models of semantic transfer that structure not only poetic language but also everyday communication and conceptualization. This paper explores metaphor and metonymy as core processes in the formation of transferred meanings of words. It examines their theoretical foundations, cognitive nature, structural patterns, and functional roles in language development. By comparing metaphor and metonymy, the paper highlights their similarities and differences, demonstrating how both mechanisms contribute to lexical expansion, polysemy, and semantic change. The study argues that metaphor and metonymy are not marginal stylistic phenomena but central organizing principles of the lexicon.