Understanding Figurative Language

From Metaphor to Idioms

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Linguistics, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
Cover of the book Understanding Figurative Language by Sam Glucksberg, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Sam Glucksberg ISBN: 9780190283186
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: July 26, 2001
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Sam Glucksberg
ISBN: 9780190283186
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: July 26, 2001
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

This book examines how people understand utterances that are intended figuratively. Traditionally, figurative language such as metaphors and idioms has been considered derivative from more complex than ostensibly straightforward literal language. Glucksberg argues that figurative language involves the same kinds of linguistic and pragmatic operations that are used for ordinary, literal language. Glucksberg's research in this book is concerned with ordinary language: expressions that are used in daily life, including conversations about everyday matters, newspaper and magazine articles, and the media. Metaphor is the major focus of the book. Idioms, however, are also treated comprehensively, as is the theory of conceptual metaphor in the context of how people understand both conventional and novel figurative expressions. A new theory of metaphor comprehension is put forward, and evaluated with respect to competing theories in linguistics and in psychology. The central tenet of the theory is that ordinary conversational metaphors are used to create new concepts and categories. This process is spontaneous and automatic. Metaphor is special only in the sense that these categories get their names from the best examples of the things they represent, and that these categories get their names from the best examples of those categories. Thus, the literal "shark" can be a metaphor for any vicious and predatory being, from unscrupulous salespeople to a murderous character in The Threepenny Opera. Because the same term, e.g.,"shark," is used both for its literal referent and for the metaphorical category, as in "My lawyer is a shark," we call it the dual-reference theory. The theory is then extended to two other domains: idioms and conceptual metaphors. The book presents the first comprehensive account of how people use and understand metaphors in everyday life.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book examines how people understand utterances that are intended figuratively. Traditionally, figurative language such as metaphors and idioms has been considered derivative from more complex than ostensibly straightforward literal language. Glucksberg argues that figurative language involves the same kinds of linguistic and pragmatic operations that are used for ordinary, literal language. Glucksberg's research in this book is concerned with ordinary language: expressions that are used in daily life, including conversations about everyday matters, newspaper and magazine articles, and the media. Metaphor is the major focus of the book. Idioms, however, are also treated comprehensively, as is the theory of conceptual metaphor in the context of how people understand both conventional and novel figurative expressions. A new theory of metaphor comprehension is put forward, and evaluated with respect to competing theories in linguistics and in psychology. The central tenet of the theory is that ordinary conversational metaphors are used to create new concepts and categories. This process is spontaneous and automatic. Metaphor is special only in the sense that these categories get their names from the best examples of the things they represent, and that these categories get their names from the best examples of those categories. Thus, the literal "shark" can be a metaphor for any vicious and predatory being, from unscrupulous salespeople to a murderous character in The Threepenny Opera. Because the same term, e.g.,"shark," is used both for its literal referent and for the metaphorical category, as in "My lawyer is a shark," we call it the dual-reference theory. The theory is then extended to two other domains: idioms and conceptual metaphors. The book presents the first comprehensive account of how people use and understand metaphors in everyday life.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Hoofprint of the Ox by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Detaining the Immigrant Other by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book "They Say" by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Thomas Aquinas by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Patriotic Pacifism by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Intelligence Success and Failure by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Innovation and Its Enemies by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Flawed Advice and the Management Trap:How Managers Can Know When They're Getting Good Advice and When They're Not by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Density-Functional Theory of Atoms and Molecules by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Nonviolent Revolutions by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Apocalyptic AI by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Surviving Wounded Knee by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Neighborhood by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Algorithmic Puzzles by Sam Glucksberg
Cover of the book Peripheral Neurology by Sam Glucksberg
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy