THE CONCEPTS DISEASE AND HEALTH IN THE POLISH LINGUISTIC PICTURE OF THE WORLD

Abstract

The study compares the concepts DISEASE and HEALTH as fragments of the Polish linguistic picture of the world. In both concepts we find a tendency for objectivization and animalization, connecting to the paired domains GOOD – BAD, LIFE – DEATH, WEALTH – POVERTY and conceptualization as a CONTAINER. Specific for HEALTH is the interpretation as a valuable object and energy, for DISEASE – as an enemy, but also as an obstacle, which makes us wiser. We find the image of the malinger – the healthy man, who pretends to be sick. Disease is part of the domain CURSE, while toasts, wishes and gratitude predominantly involve health.