Genesis of Metaphor in Diachrony

The article provides a multidimensional analysis of metaphor as a universal cognitive mechanism that shapes the conceptual foundation of scientific knowledge and ensures the interaction of different fields within discursive and sociocultural dimensions. To implement such a multifaceted investigation, a complex set of research methods is employed, including the diachronic method, comparative-typological approach, conceptual analysis, discourse analysis, and descriptive-analytical method. The historical dynamics of metaphor comprehension are traced – from ancient conceptions of meaning transfer to modern cognitive-linguistic and corpus-based studies, which confirm its fundamental role in the categorization of experience. It is emphasized that metaphor is not merely a linguistic or stylistic phenomenon but primarily a tool of thought that allows for the structuring of abstract concepts, the creation of new terminological systems, and the facilitation of interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. The functions of metaphor in scientific and technical discourse are examined, where it serves as a means of cognitive modelling but simultaneously carries potential risks of semantic distortions. Special attention is given to the role of figurative models in the exact sciences, mathematics, engineering, information technologies, as well as in pedagogical discourse, where metaphor demonstrates its ability to adapt complex concepts to the recipient’s level of perception. It is shown that in the educational context metaphor exerts an ambivalent influence: it facilitates the acquisition of new knowledge but may also lead to the formation of incomplete or erroneous representations. The sociocultural aspect of the analysis demonstrates that metaphor not only structures scientific thinking but also shapes collective representations, national identity, and rhetorical models of science. In this context, global and local approaches are distinguished: international research focuses on universal mechanisms, while the Ukrainian scholarly tradition emphasizes the cultural and national dimension of terminology formation. Current trends in metaphor studies are associated with the use of corpus-based and computational methods, which allow for a quantitative assessment of metaphoricity and the identification of patterns in its functioning within specialized discourses. This approach opens up new opportunities for integrating cognitive semantics, pragmatics, and computational linguistics into the study of scientific language. The conclusion is drawn that metaphor integrates knowledge, experience, and cultural codes, ensuring the flexibility and dynamism of scientific language.