A contrastive analysis of the conceptual metaphor of “Happiness” and “Sorrow” in the lyrics of Nobody told me by John Lennon and Cát bụi by Trịnh Công Sơn

Abstract

This study focuses on exploring the conceptual metaphor of “Happiness” and “Sorrow” conveyed through two musical compositions: “Nobody told me” by John Lennon and “Cát bụi” by Trịnh Công Sơn. Through contrastive analysis, the research aims to elucidate the diverse emotions expressed within the target domains of “Happiness” and “Sorrow”, as well as the cultural and ethnic perspectives portrayed in these two songs lyrics. By employing a contrastive analysis approach, the study delves into the complex expressions of “Happiness” and “Sorrow” through layered implications, highlighting the varied source domains projected onto the mentioned target domains. The research findings also indicate both the similarities and differences in perceptual models, providing a comprehensive view of the diverse concepts of “Happiness” and “Sorrow” in various cultural and compositional contexts.