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The Functions of Metaphor in Mandarin Pop Song Lyrics

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The Functions of Metaphor in Mandarin Pop Song Lyrics 國立中山大學外國語文學系 碩士論文 Department of Foreign Language and Literature National Sun-Yat-sen University Master Thesis 從偶像劇主題曲探討中文流行歌曲的歌詞隱喻之功能 The functions of metaphor in Mandarin pop song lyrics: A study of idol drama theme songs 研究生：徐以昕 Yi-Hsin Hsu 指導教授：曾銘裕 博士 Dr. Ming-Yu Tseng 中華民國 105 年 1 月 January 2016 i Acknowledgements For me, it is unbelievable that this task officially have been done. However, this thesis could not have been completed without all the supports and encouragements from many people. I would like to show my greatest thankfulness here. First, I want to express my special gratitude to Prof. Tseng Ming-yu. As my advisor, his patience and guidance always leads me, and help me keep going on this tough road. Besides, the insightful perspectives and comments he gave me did help me a lot when I was stuck. It is my pleasure to have an advisor like him. Also, I would like to thank my committee members of the oral defense, Prof. Shie Jian-Shiung and Assistant prof. Wang Hung-Chun. They offered me precious suggestions that I have not thought before. Those comments enriched this thesis. Next, I am grateful to my dearest friends. They always stand by my side when I feel frustrated. To Wan-Chan and Han-Yu, I am pleased to have both of you as my roommates in Kaohsiung. Thanks for the things you have done for me during these years. For Ivy, Freida, Chloe, Min, Janice, Ruby, and Peter, I am glad you guys not only comforted me but gave me moderate suggestions when I was in a dilemma. Last, I would like to express my deepest thankfulness to my parents. They respect me and support what I want to do. To thank their love, I sincerely dedicated this thesis to them. ii 摘要 隱喻為日常生活中廣泛出現之語言現象，不只單單出現在報紙或雜誌之標題 與內文，也是流行歌曲歌詞中常見的用法。過去關於流行歌詞中的隱喻現象，多 為按年代來探討加以分門別類，較少著重在隱喻之功能。本研究宗旨著重在偶像 劇主題曲（片頭、片尾曲），藉此探討流行歌曲歌詞隱喻之功能。本研究首先藉 由 Lakoff-Johnson 概念譬喻理論（Conceptual Metaphor Theory）與 Fauconnier-Turner 融合理論（Blending Theory）針對三立電視台的五部電視劇的 主題曲中所含的隱喻詳加闡述。在所有隱喻解釋與分析完成後，再加入 Tseng （2010）所提出的「執行潛在功能的能力（performative potential）」概念探究隱 喻的功能以及主題曲與偶像劇之關聯。「執行潛在功能的能力」說明了隱喻本身 包含了潛在的言語能力，同時兼顧了人際功能（interpersonal）、概念功能 （ideational）、和語篇功能（textual）。透過「執行潛在功能的能力」的概念，對 本研究在解析戲劇主題曲歌詞上提供較為全面的理解。 研究結果顯示，隱喻在歌詞中扮演了重要的腳色。而隱喻在片頭曲與片尾曲 的功能也有所不同。本研究發現，隱喻在不同的主題中（人生、愛情、友誼）都 大量的被運用。在愛情隱喻的部分，本文也發現許多有別於以往的特殊概念隱 喻，如「愛情是犯罪行為」。在隱喻的功能上，片頭曲所包含之隱喻大多呈現了 正向、快樂的情感與人生或愛情的觀點。然而，部分片尾曲之隱喻相較下描述了 較為悲傷的情感畫面或失敗的愛情關係；此差異和歌曲出現之時間點有所相關。 此外，研究結果也間接證實了隱喻並非只具有單一功能，而是多重功能，更會隨 著使用的場合而改變。片尾曲雖含有悲傷隱喻，卻也能藉此帶給觀眾更多期待感 與懸疑效果。最後，此研究也發現，透過主題歌中的隱喻，一首歌能巧妙的與戲 劇劇情產生連結作用，致使聽者（觀眾）更能產生共鳴點。透過上述研究成果， 本文對隱喻在戲劇主題曲上的功能提共了初步的了解。 關鍵字：隱喻、隱喻之功能、歌詞、語言使用、流行歌曲、偶像劇 iii Abstract Metaphor is widely used in daily conversations, political debates, newspaper titles, literary works, advertisements and pop song lyrics. However, little research is known in regard to the force behind metaphor in lyrics. In the past, most studies on metaphors in pop song lyrics focused on discussing how metaphors have been used in different times, and categorizing them in terms of various conceptual metaphors. By investigating metaphors in ten Mandarin pop songs which are also Taiwanese idol drama theme songs on SET cable TV, this thesis analyzes the functions of metaphors in them. The methods of analysis draw on several theoretical frameworks. First, to elucidate metaphors in every theme song, both Conceptual Metaphor Theory proposed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980, 1993) and Blending theory developed by Fauconnier and Turner (1994, 2002) were adopted. Such approaches are aimed at revealing mappings activated by metaphors. Then, to understand the functions of metaphor, we used the notion of performative potential (Tseng, 2010) to analyze the pragmatic force of metaphors. This notion suggests that metaphors potentially comprise verbal energy and can serve various functions. Besides, the concept of performative potential strengthens the interpersonal function of language, and yet the ideational and textual functions are included. Based on the analysis, we found metaphors play a significant role in lyrics, and there is a discrepancy about metaphorical functions between opening and ending theme songs. This study shows that metaphors about life, love, and friendships are widely used in idol drama theme songs and that often more than one metaphor is used in a theme song. Besides, about love metaphors, innovative conceptual metaphors which have not been discussed before are applied in the theme songs (e.g. LOVE IS A CRIMINAL ACT). As regards functions of metaphor, the opening theme songs show a happy atmosphere and positive emotion. Nevertheless, some of the ending theme iv songs use metaphors to depict respectively sad scenes in failed love relationships. Moreover, we prove that the function of metaphor is not fixed. Although metaphors in ending theme songs involve some sad meanings, metaphors serve to add suspense in the lyrics. The function depends on whether a song is played prior to an episode begins or at the end of it. The suspense created by metaphors may make audiences look forward to seeing the next episode. Finally, the study showed that metaphors in theme songs make good connections with drama plots. This cultivates the intimacy between the song and its listeners. By and large, this study aims to offer a better understanding of the functions which metaphors serve in pop songs, especially in drama theme songs. Key words: metaphor, function of metaphor, language use, pop song, lyrics, idol drama v Table of Contents 論文審定書.....................................................................................................................i Acknowledgement.........................................................................................................ii 摘要.............................................................................................................................. iii Abstract ......................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ......................................................................................................... ix List of Figures ......................................................................................................... x Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Motivation ........................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Aims ................................................................................................................. 3 1.4 Organization of the thesis ................................................................................ 4 Chapter 2 Literature Review .......................................................................................... 6 2.1 The definition of popular music and its features ............................................. 6 2.2 Previous studies on metaphor in pop song lyrics ............................................. 9 2.2.1 Studies on metaphor in pop song lyrics in China ............................... 10 2.2.2 Studies on metaphor in pop song lyrics in Taiwan ............................. 12 2.3 Summary ........................................................................................................ 14 Chapter 3 Theoretical Framework and Research Data ................................................ 16 3.1 Functions of metaphor ................................................................................... 16 3.1.1 Expressing emotional attitudes ........................................................... 17 3.1.2 Decoration, disguise, and hyperbole ................................................... 18 3.1.3 Cultivating intimacy............................................................................ 19 3.2 Perfomative potential ..................................................................................... 20 3.3 Overview of two adopted theories: conceptual metaphor theory and blending theory ................................................................................................................... 25 3.3.1 Conceptual metaphor theory ............................................................... 25 3.3.2 Event structure metaphor .................................................................... 29 3.3.3 Ontological metaphor.......................................................................... 32 3.3.4 Blending theory ................................................................................... 34 3.3.5 The rationale of using conceptual metaphor theory and blending theory ........................................................................................................... 38 3.4 Research data ................................................................................................. 38 3.4.1 Data collection and background.......................................................... 39 Chapter 4 Data Analysis and Discussion ..................................................................... 43 4.1 Metaphors in opening theme songs................................................................ 43 4.1.1 Opening theme song of Love, Now—“Let’s Run Together” ............... 43 4.1.2 Opening theme song of Love Me or Leave Me—“Only for you” ....... 47 vii 4.1.3 Opening theme song of Lady Maid Maid—“Trapped by feeling” ..... 51 4.1.4 Opening theme song of King Flower—“Because
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