A Comparative Cognitive Linguistic Investigation of Linguistic Landscapes in Shanghai, China

This study explores English metaphors in the linguistic landscapes of Shanghai, China, focusing on four distinct research sites: Biyun, Gubei, Xin Tiandi, and the Bund. Through a mixed-methods approach, this research combines the qualitative framework, Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit (MIPVU), with quantitative analysis using the R software to examine 428 photographs. The study specifically investigates metaphor density and the prevalence of conceptual metaphors across official and private signage. The findings reveal that official signage in public spaces tends to avoid metaphorical expressions compared to private entities that exhibit a greater use of metaphors. Furthermore, while official sources predominantly employ WAR metaphors, private institutions show a typical preference for metaphors from the HUMAN BEING domain. These results contribute to the growing body of research on the cognitive theories of metaphor by demonstrating their practical application in urban linguistic landscapes. Additionally, the study provides a more profound understanding of how conceptual metaphors are used to convey embedded social and cultural meanings, highlighting the influence of context on metaphorical expression in public spaces.