Approaching the end of the time metaphor game

Abstract This chapter is concerned with some cross-linguistic asymmetries in the use of the two types of time metaphors, the Moving-Time and the Moving-Ego metaphor, in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesia, Javanese and Turkish. The latter type of metaphor appears to be far less natural in these languages in certain contexts. However, when talking about relatively short dynamic events such as matches or concerts, Moving-Ego metaphors are more appropriate than Moving-Time metaphors. We have attested such a switch in Japanese, Bahasa Indonesia, and to a degree in Turkish, squaring with what we find in Hungarian and Croatian. The acceptability of Moving-Ego metaphors also correlates with the active participation of the Ego in these events as well as the Ego’s subjective involvement in them.