Cognitive Mechanisms of Metaphor Formation and Interpretation in Second Language Learning

This study aims to identify cognitive mechanisms underlying the formation and interpretation of linguistic metaphors in the context of second language acquisition, and to establish the effectiveness of cognitively oriented strategies for developing metaphorical competence. The research was conducted as a quasi-experimental intergroup comparison with post-test data collection. It involved students of non-philological specialties with an average level of English proficiency, for whom metaphorical interpretation is not part of systematic language practice. The cognitive theory of metaphor and the provisions of conceptual mapping served as the methodological foundation. Data were collected by administering test tasks on the interpretation and productive generation of metaphors, as well as a questionnaire on strategic metaphor awareness. The results showed that focused work on conceptual domains led to a statistically significant increase in the accuracy of metaphorical interpretation, the structural complexity of productive metaphors, and participants’ strategic awareness. The experimental group demonstrated significantly higher semantic flexibility and the ability to construct cognitively motivated metaphors than the control group, confirming the effectiveness of the cognitive approach to metaphor learning