%0 Journal Article
%T A Study on Cognitive Transformation Mechanism from Implicitness to Explicitness
%A Yue Shen
%A Zhenqiang Zhao
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 13
%N 3
%P 1-15
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2026
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1114969
%X Based on the Mental Space Mapping theory from Cognitive Linguistics, this paper investigates the cognitive transformation mechanisms involved in translating Chinese idioms into English in Mo Yan¡¯s novels. The study focuses on the pervasive implicit agentive and patientive meaning in the semantic construal of Chinese idioms, and examines how these are explicated in cross-linguistic transfer through mental-space operations of mapping, integration, and elaboration. The main findings are as follows: 1) Owing to their strong spatiality, paratactic features, and holistic mode of thinking, Chinese idioms frequently contain implicit agent and patient elements in the source domain or input spaces; 2) Explicitation strategies in English translation display a continuum distribution, with specific methods including supplying implicit agentive/patientive meaning, making implicit passive semantics explicit, and adding conjunctions or verbal elements to complete the syntactic framework; 3) The degree of explicitation is significantly correlated with idiom type, cultural load, and narrative context, with translators dynamically balancing the retention of ¡°heterogeneity¡± and reader acceptability to accomplish the cognitive transformation from implicitness to explicitness.&nbsp;<br />
%K Chinese-English Idioms
%K Cognitive Mechanisms
%K Mental Space
%K Semantic Explicitation
%K Implicit Agent/Patient
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/6889144