Semantics analysis of the word "Qur'an" in Sermon 198 of Nahj al-Balagha based on the Conceptual Blending Theory

The present study, using the " Conceptual Blending Theory" which is one of the latest theories of "cognitive linguistics", seeks to explain the conceptual metaphors used about the "Quran" in sermon 198. For this purpose, four metaphorical phrases from this sermon were selected, and using the four-space pattern, the stages of meaning creation were depicted. The findings of the study show that the words "sea", "strong building", "healing" and "shield", which have been used to describe the Qur'an in the source area, and play a precise explanatory role in the metaphorical understanding of the destination area (the word of the Quran), and from this through a new reading, novel points can be inferred. The findings indicate that Imam (a.s.) had a comprehensive insight by using these phrases and the application of this theory can open new horizons in explaining the metaphorical concepts of Nahj al-Balagha.