Cognitive metaphor in the concepts “woman” and “man” (on the material of the Shvanks of the Russian Germans)

The article considers concepts «male» and «female» male and female frames which occur in the shvanks of the Russian Germans and reveals some peculiarities of world categorization and conceptualization by the Russian Germans. It is pointed out that the cognitive metaphor plays an important role in this process and reveals specific characteristics of a national world-image. The analysis of linguistic means to represent concepts «male» and «female» highlights it that cognitive metaphors in the shvanks include zoomorphic, botanic images, fragments of frames of natural objects, household items, and mythical creatures. The author states that cognitive metaphors in the shvanks can be arranged in three oppositions - male::female::common; positive::negative; caused by the German linguaculture::caused by the Russian linguaculture::universal::unique. The article proves the statement about ethnocultural references in explication of male and female images in the world map of the Russian Germans that reflect specificity of their world conceptualization under the influence of both cultures - Russian and German, including: the prevalence of male frames against female, negative metaphors against positive. It is stated that there are still universal frames, frames directly caused by the German linguaculture, and some unique metaphors. The author concludes that due to the cognitive metaphors by shvanks Russian Germans can achieve some extra aims: comic effect and educational impact.