LOVE METAPHORS OF FEMALE CHARACTERS IN THE CHINESE-THAI TRANSLATION BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MAHA CHAKRI SIRINDHORN

Abstract

         The purpose of this research is to study love metaphors of female characters in four books translated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The results of the research revealed a total of 71 love  metaphorical expressions; 1) “Na Ree Na Ka Ra” (35 expressions) 2) “Phiang Wan Pob Wan Nee Thi Samkhan” (15 expressions) 3) “Mor Ra Kod” (13 expressions) and 4) “Bai Yin Na - The Hidden Village on the Heilongjiang River Bank” (8 expressions). Love metaphors can be categorized into 14 groups, including Love is nature, Love is activity, Love is object and material, Love is good practice, Love is supernatural, Love is emotion and feelings, Love is another, Love is power, Love is time, Love is truth, Love is precious thing, Love is person, Love is taste, and Love is travel. All these conceptual metaphors illustrate the diverse and different perspectives on love of female characters based on the changing social status, culture and ages of China. The love metaphors include both universal and specific, but the latter can only be found in China's social and cultural conditions.