Distributed embodiment of metaphorical hope in hand, head, and eyebrow gestures

This study aimed to examine the embodied conceptualization of hope through metaphors. We asked a group of participants to discuss their hopes in a semi-structured interview. We examined the types of hand, head, and eyebrow gestures produced when they were talking about their future hopes. The obtained results showed that when participants talked about their future hopes, they mainly used forward hand gestures, rightward head gestures, and upward eyebrow gestures. Based on these results, it is suggested that various semantic components and emotional associations of hope are metaphorically embodied in different manners in various parts of the body. The future aspect of hope is conceptualized as a forward movement and is embodied as a forward hand gesture. The good or positive emotional aspect associated with future hopes is metaphorically conceptualized as a rightward head gesture or an upward eyebrow gesture. We call this process distributed embodiment of a metaphorical concept. Our proposal is supported by the findings of past studies that have found future is metaphorically embodied as something in front of us (or forward movement), and good is metaphorically embodied as upper space (or upward movement) or right side (or rightward movement).

Automated summary

This study examines the embodiment of hope through metaphors, specifically focusing on hand, head, and eyebrow gestures. Participants were asked to discuss their hopes in an interview, and the results showed that forward hand gestures, rightward head gestures, and upward eyebrow gestures were commonly used when talking about future hopes. The findings suggest that hope is metaphorically embodied in different parts of the body, with the future aspect represented by a forward hand gesture and the positive emotional aspect associated with hope represented by rightward head gestures or upward eyebrow gestures.