A Multimodal Metaphorical Study of Negative Emotions in WeChat Emoji Packages

本文基于多模态隐喻理论框架，系统分析了由254个微信表情包构成的语料库，探讨了其中所蕴含的消极情绪多模态隐喻现象。研究通过MIP隐喻识别程序，筛选出202个有效样本，归纳出三类主要消极情绪：悲伤、愤怒和恐惧，并进一步从面部表情、身体姿态、空间构图、自然现象等方面分析其典型隐喻建构方式。结果发现，这些隐喻不仅体现出人类对情绪的具身化理解，也在数字交流中承担着重要的叙事、社交和身份功能。研究表明，表情包作为图文结合的多模态媒介，不仅丰富了情绪表达手段，也促进了情感信息的有效传递和人际关系的维系。本文从认知语言学视角拓展了情绪隐喻研究的深度，对当代数字交际实践具有积极意义。This study investigates the multimodal metaphorical representation of negative emotions in WeChat emoji packages through the framework of cognitive linguistics and multimodal metaphor theory. Drawing upon a corpus of 254 emoji packages, the research applies the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP) to identify 202 samples of negative emotional expression. These are categorized into three core emotional types: sadness, anger, and fear. The study explores how these emotions are metaphorically constructed through facial expressions, body posture, spatial orientation, natural imagery, or some other ways. It is found that these metaphors not only embody the embodied understanding of emotions, but also assume important narrative, social, and identity functions in digital communication. The study shows that emoji, as a multimodal medium combining pictures and texts, not only enriches the means of emotional expression, but also promotes the effective transmission of emotional information and the maintenance of interpersonal relationships. This paper expands the depth of emotional metaphor research from the perspective of cognitive linguistics, which has positive significance for contemporary digital communication practice.