Abstract:

The naming of foraminifera presents its unique features, and needs to consider both biological characteristics and language selection. Myriads of image metaphors reside in foraminifera names. Under the cognitive perspective, cognitive mechanism of human beings underpins image metaphors. Cognitive attributes permeate in the generation and decoding of image metaphors, and cognitive economy is achieved by means of metaphorical naming. By deconstructing foraminifera names which contain multiple image metaphors, four mental spaces within the conceptual integration network are activated. In the blended space, multiple images produce an innovative emergent structure through composition, completion and elaboration. The deconstruction of foraminifera names also offers guidance to the naming activities in other domains.

Key words: naming of foraminifera, image metaphors, cognitive attributes, conceptual integration, mental spaces