Man’s Characteristics in Animal Metaphors in Italian and Georgian (goat, rabbit, cat, lynx)

Abstract

The present article deals with Animal Metaphors in Italian and Georgian languages. The source domains in the material we discussed are goat, rabbit, cat, and lynx. The mentioned concepts were quite similar, although differences are also noted. From the source domain - goat (capra) and cat (felino) are mainly projected movements and actions. In Italian, a goat is a brainless and stubborn person. From the source domain - rabbit - (coniglio), in addition to different actions, in both languages, is projected cowardice; however, unlike Georgian, shyness and the ability to reproduce quickly are highlighted in Italian. As for the lynx, in the Italian language, it is projected as a person with a unique vision, while the explanatory dictionary of the Georgian language singles out its predatory characteristic.