Abstract：Abstract: Based on the analysis of non-metaphorical and metaphorical language of the same construction by the frame-semantic model of autonomy and dependence，the current paper explores the relationship between the literal and metaphorical meaning of symmetrical Chinese four-character idioms in order to reveal the formation mechanism of the semantic structure of Chinese idioms. Through the comparative analysis, it is found that there exists autonomy/dependence relationship both within Chinese idioms’ components and between their literal and metaphorical meanings; the meaning of non-metaphorical idioms is composed of their components directly, and the autonomous component specifies the elaboration site through metaphorical mapping to synthetize the complete meaning of idioms in metaphorical idioms.
Key words: autonomy/dependence; semantic frame; metaphorical mapping; Chinese idioms
