Psycholinguistic Mechanisms of Metaphorical Knowledge Representation in Language Processing

Abstract

This article examines the psycholinguistic mechanisms involved in the metaphorical representation of knowledge structures during language processing. Metaphor is considered not only as a stylistic device but also as a fundamental cognitive and linguistic mechanism through which individuals organize, interpret, and express abstract knowledge. The study focuses on how metaphorical meanings are processed in the human mind through perception, association, memory, conceptual mapping, and contextual interpretation. Special attention is given to the role of mental representations, semantic networks, and prior experience in understanding metaphorical expressions. The article also discusses how metaphor facilitates the processing of complex concepts by connecting abstract ideas with more concrete and familiar domains. From a psycholinguistic perspective, metaphorical knowledge representation reflects the interaction between language, cognition, and speech activity. The findings suggest that metaphor plays an essential role in meaning construction, language comprehension, and the organization of knowledge in human communication.