时间的空间隐喻表征的理据——一个古希腊哲学视角

A Perspective of the Ancient Greek Philosophy On the Motivation of Temporal Expressions Based on Spatial Metaphors

古希腊哲学认为时间不可分割,不可计算,难于量化,处于动态之中,而空间是可以计算和量化的,是静止不变的。时空的这些特性反映在语言中就是以空间隐喻来表达时间。古希腊人的这种时空观念也是人类早期时空观念的缩影,为时间的空间隐喻表征找到有力的理据。

The ancient Greek philosophy holds that time is inseparable,incalculatable,immeasurable and dynamic and that space can be calculated,measured and stay static.The characteristics of time and space are reflected in language,namely,temporal expressions are based on spatial metaphors.The idea of time and space of the ancient Greeks is the temporal and spatial epitome of early human beings and it is the convincing motivation on why human beings employ spatial metaphor to express time.