Abstract：Abstract: This study explores the motivations of grammatical metaphor in the three dimensions of semogenesis (i.e. phylogenesis, ontogenesis and logogenesis). From the perspective of phylogenesis, the division of human species with regional migration and their evolution with the times are the external motivations of grammatical metaphor. In terms of ontogenesis, the change of a person with different ages and social roles are the internal motivations of grammatical metaphor. In light of logogenesis, the intention of the speaker and situational context (register) are the communicative motivations of grammatical metaphor.
Key words: grammatical metaphor; semogenesis; motivation
