Numerical Hyperbole in Kurdish Idioms: A Cognitive-Semantic Perspective

Abstract

The present study seeks to explore numerical hyperbole in Kurdish idioms from a cognitive semantic perspective. Adopting a corpus-based strategy, the study examines the underlying conceptual metaphor motivations and understandings in Kurdish context. The nature of the study is qualitative-descriptive and Kurdish idioms are extracted from three reliable and authoritative resources, forming a triangulation dataset to ensure reliability and credibility. The analytical framework is designed according to conceptual metaphor theory, MIPVU and conceptual mapping analysis. A thorough analysis of numerical hyperbole in Kurdish idioms reveals that numbers serve as metaphorical tools rather than literal and quantifiable elements. It also presents seven conceptual metaphors, including EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IS QUANTITY, EXTREME QUANTITY/ MAGNITUDE IS QUANTITY, LIMITATION/ IMPOSSIBILITY IS NUMBER, HUMAN EXPERIENCE/SKILL IS QUANTITY, HUMAN TRAIT/BEHAVIOR IS QUANTITY, SOCIAL INTERACTION/ RELATIONSHIP IS QUANTITY, and HUMAN EFFORT/STRUGGLE IS QUANTITY. The analysis of Kurdish data further supports the cognitive perspective that numerical idioms are conceptually motivated and structured, rather than purely representing quantitative aspects.

Language serves not purely for conveying the literal meaning; it further acts as a medium for the conceptualization of abstract ideas through figurative language. Figurative language reflects key cognitive frameworks, uncovering how the speakers of a language interpret external reality. Figurative language is utilized continuously, even in our everyday interactions, enabling us to effortlessly comprehend abstract concepts and helping us go beyond the literal meaning. Idioms, as a form of figurative language, establish a connection between our thoughts, experience and the external world  With respect to the Kurdish context, idioms are recognized as fixed linguistic expressions with the exceptional and figurative interpretations that basically cannot be inferred from their individual components