Some metaphors of ʽWATERʼ in the phraseology of three Balkan languages from a cognitive linguistic perspective: An ongoing research project

Abstract

This article analyses, within the framework of cognitive linguistics, the use of some WATER metaphors in the phraseology of three Balkan languages, Albanian, Macedonian and Modern Greek. Water, which occupies a significant place in human experience and perception, provides a versatile framework for metaphorical expression in various aspects of human life. In phraseology, these metaphors are likely to play a crucial role in conveying abstract concepts and cultural ideas rooted in the experience of water and its various manifestations in the three Balkan languages. This research project aims to shed light on the complex relationship between language, culture, and cognition, highlighting the role of water as a potent metaphorical resource in the Balkan linguistic repertoire. Our study is based on the variety of spoken and written language used by the average educated person, including newspapers, fiction and mass media. We have not considered the rich dialectal heritage of each of the three languages. We hope to extend the phraseological analysis of water to some of the dialects of these languages in the future.