METAPHOR, CATEGORIZATION, AND WORLDVIEWS: AN INTEGRATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract

This article explores the cognitive and philosophical underpinnings of language that shape intercultural communication. It examines how fundamental philosophical questions about the relationship between language, thought, and reality intersect with cognitive scientific research on categorization, conceptual metaphors, and embodiment to create both barriers and bridges in cross-cultural understanding. The analysis demonstrates that linguistic differences reflect deeper differences in conceptual systems and worldviews, challenging the notion of direct translatability between cultures. By integrating perspectives from cognitive linguistics, philosophical hermeneutics, and intercultural studies, this research provides a framework for understanding communication challenges at their conceptual roots and suggests pathways toward more effective intercultural dialogue.