The Conceptual Metaphor FATE OF LOVE IS A TALISMAN in the Minds of Thai People as an Ethnic Minority in Vietnam

The Thai people are one of Vietnam's ethnic minorities, possessing distinct cultural characteristics that shape their lived experiences. This paper explores the conceptual metaphor LOVE IS A TALISMAN by examining 50 love charm songs that have been passed down through Thai folk culture and ancient texts. The study analyzes a corpus of 121 verbal expressions, categorizing them into three key mappings from the source domain TALISMAN to the target domain FATE OF LOVE. Specifically, the act of creating a TALISMAN symbolizes the formation of emotions, the materials used in its crafting represent the forces that bring two lovers together, and its effects correspond to the stimulation and deepening of love. Furthermore, this study offers insights into the daily life, labor, and spiritual world of the Thai people, revealing their intuitive thinking, which is deeply rooted in familiar, everyday experiences. Their expressions of love and marriage reflect a sincere and unembellished perspective, demonstrating a uniquely innocent and heartfelt way of understanding romantic relationships.