本論文以「概念合成理論」(Conceptual Blending Theory, Fauconnier & Turner, 2002)、「原型理論」(Prototype Theory, Rosch & Mervis, 1975)以及「屬性結構」(Qualia Structure, Pustejovsky, 1995)為理論架構，研究客家動、植物諺語中的語用功能、典型認知與文化意涵。本文資料取材於客家諺語叢書及與客諺相關的論文，旨在探討：（一）客家諺語中的詞彙選擇與語用功能；（二）不同語用功能類別的客家諺語之認知差異；（三）客家諺語中呈現的客家族群生活型態與文化現象；（四）客家諺語中動、植物譬喻指涉的語意變化，更進一步期望能從而認識到客家社會如何體現這樣的典型認知與可能的變遷。
研究結果顯示：（一）客家諺語中的詞彙選擇，以「同類詞」與「同義詞」最常見，同類詞的搭配例如『雞』與『鴨』和『龜』與『鱉』可做為語意的加強或對比。（二）就語用功能而言，客諺常用於「幽默」、「諷刺」、「勸化」、「警示」、「褒獎」與「勉勵」，其中以「幽默」與「諷刺」功能使用頻率最高，前者有助於提升溝通情境的正向氛圍，後者多藉由動物做為負面的反諷隱喻指涉，例如客家諺語中『餓狗想飛鳥』藉由『狗』最常出現的典型特色之一『能力不足』做為人的諷刺譬喻。（三）客家族群在生活態度中最為重視「飲食」、「人際關係」、「工作」等，並藉由動、植物典型特徵展現對生活方式與人我之間的評斷，其核心的人生哲學可歸納為「服從」，尤其表彰於對於大自然的順從－例如『七月好倒竹，八月好斫木』為謹守伐木時節的林諺，以及對社會規範的遵從－例如『毋食鹹魚嘴毋腥，毋會做賊心毋驚』提醒人需心善行正潔身自愛。（四）客家諺語中以動物和植物做為隱喻的典型認知特色，在年長與年輕的兩個世代間並無顯著的變化，然而因「語言接觸」與「社會發展」的緣故，譬喻在跨世代的語言習慣中仍產生了語意變遷，例如『無鼻牛』原喻野孩子，是因為舊時農業時代中幼小牛隻尚未穿鼻環而且較難馴服，此指涉用法在年輕世代中因社會變遷已失去相關聯想。另從「熟悉度」和「日常使用頻率」出發的問卷調查中，兩個面向呈現低度相關，顯示年輕受試者雖因母語鄉土課程而對諺語有一定熟悉度，卻少應用於實際的生活對談中，證實客家語言與文化在年輕世代中仍須持續推動增進。
總而言之，本文藉由探討客家動、植物諺語中的詞彙選擇、語用功能、典型認知與生活現象，了解客家族群的語言變遷與文化意涵，若能將諺語中的譬喻指涉或文化特色融入客語教學中，不僅能使課程更加生動有趣，更能將祖先們的生活智慧與珍貴的人生哲理繼續代代傳承。

This thesis investigates Hakka people’s language features and cultural reflections through Hakka animal and plant proverbs serving distinct pragmatic functions. It further probes into animal/plant vehicles which metaphorically symbolize humans to explore a linguistic phenomenon—semantic change. The data are mainly extracted from Hakka proverb books and proverb-related theses, analyzed in terms of Conceptual Blending Theory (Fauconnier & Turner, 2002), Prototype Theory (Rosch & Mervis, 1975) and Qualia Structure (Pustejovsky, 1995). The thesis addresses the following issues: (1) What lexical choices and pragmatic functions are displayed in Hakka animal and plant proverbs? (2) How do proverbs with distinct pragmatic functions differ from one another on the basis of conceptual blending, prototypical features and qualia structure? (3) What cultural connotations or implications are presented via the analysis of these proverbs? (4) Concerning prototypical effects and semantic change of metaphors, what are the social and cultural variations displayed in Hakka community across two generations?
The results show that: (1) When it comes to pragmatic functions, humor and irony rank the top; as for lexical choices, proverbs with similar terms and synonyms appear most frequently. Such similar vehicles as chicken and duck, when coexisting in one proverb, help to raise emphasis or enhance comparison. (2) In humorous and ironic proverbs, animal vehicles appear more and negative prototypical features are preferred for metaphorical description associated with human traits. (3) The most significant connection between Hakka people’s attitudes of life, lifestyles and their philosophy of life is the notion of obedience—to nature and social norms in particular, which is seen as the core in Hakka people’s culture. (4) Though prototypical effects have maintained similar for generations, semantic change with regard to metaphorical referents in Hakka proverbs still occurs as a consequence of language contact—such as the prevalent influence from Mandarin Chinese teen operas, as well as social development—the progressive industrialization for instance. In addition, our questionnaire survey reveals a worrying phenomenon that even though the younger generation has familiarity with Hakka proverbs, they lack the tendency to use them in daily communication. The low frequency of usage highlights the setback of mother-tongue programs in Taiwan; we ought to strive strenuously to promote the utilization of Hakka in the young.
In sum, via the exploration of Hakka animal and plant proverbs we prove cognitive and pragmatic theories applicable and effective approaches. We obtain cultural connotations reflected from proverbs and propose that the concept on obedience is the most representative philosophy observed in Hakka society. Last but not least, the promotion of Hakka mother tongue in younger generation deserves much more endeavor. Proverbs are precious cultural heritage, and we are with eager anticipation to benefit the preservation and promotion with the present study.

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