Abstract:

Many abstract concepts in Russian-Chinese astronomical terminology require the use of orientation metaphors to construct new concepts and form new terms. On the basis of their basic spatial meanings, orientation metaphors, especially those represented by the source domains of “up and down”, have gradually given rise to metaphorical concepts with other meanings, such as the meaning of state, social status, time, scope, etc. This paper takes the “up and down” domains of orientation metaphors in Russian and Chinese astronomical terminology as the object of study, compare and analyze the similarities and differences of orientation metaphors between the two languages, and try to analyze the reasons behind them.

Key words: astronomical terminology, orientation metaphors, up and down domains, comparative study of Russian and Chinese terminology