01/02/2010. Unit 13 (Lesson 22) Functions (xi): metaphor and analogy for description and persuasion

Transcription

1 What is a metaphor? Unit 13 (Lesson 22) Functions (xi): metaphor and analogy for description and persuasion In a metaphor, one object or concept is described as if it were a different one. e.g. when we say that electricity flows, we are describing it as if it were water. This is not a description of similarity. Electricity is not like/similar to water; its movement is a vibration not a flow. It is easier to understand the movement of electricity in terms of water movement How metaphors work Normally, a familiar concept is used to describe a new concept. We understand familiar concepts as... we have seen them we have (bodily) experience of them We use this knowledge to understand the new concept How metaphors develop Metaphors develop from concrete to abstract. On the left you can see a picture of a crane (gru in Italian, grue in French) The smaller image is a crane s foot pié de grue in Old French 1

2 How metaphors develop Can you see the similarity between the pié de grue and the family tree (pedigree chart)? Of course, you don t need to know that pedigree = pié de grue because pedigree has its own meaning now. Metaphor polysemy Scientists and metaphors Most metaphors are conventional, so they pass unnoticed. They will cause you problems, because: you might assume that a word you know always has the same meanings as its translation, so you might use a word metaphorically without realising that it is a metaphor (when translating from Italian); or indeed you may recognise a familiar word but understand its (metaphorical) meaning in text. Scientists and metaphors TASK 1 How easy is it for you to recognise metaphors? Look at the two texts - the first in Italian, the second in English. They deal with the same topic. How many metaphors can you find? What recurrent metaphorical theme(s) did you find in these texts? What are metaphors for? Metaphors are a feature of terminology. Apart from this, metaphors are used to attract and maintain a reader s attention, and to interpret/evaluate content or conclusions. Non-terminological metaphors are usually found in titles in discussion sections, and at the end of conclusions. 2

3 What are metaphors for? TASK 2 Metaphors in research article titles Locate the metaphors in the journal article/ book titles provided some are more obvious than others sometimes there are several metaphors present Do you use the same/similar metaphors in Italian? If not, can you understand them? Distinguishing a metaphor Literal meaning information Abstracts Methods Results Metaphorical meaning expressive Literature review Discussion & evaluation Conclusions/implications Distinguishing a metaphor Metaphors belong to a subject area which contrasts with the topic of study. Metaphors often cluster together Specific disciplines or topics attract recurrent metaphor themes Sometimes these themes are incorporated into the terminology of specific disciplines or topics. Metaphors which do not cluster usually form part of conventionalised wordings Conventional metaphors TASK 3 Conventionalised metaphors and metaphorical terminology Each of the ten extracts features some metaphorical language. Underline the metaphors you can find. Do you understand what they mean? Which are terminological? Which are expressive? 3

4 How to use metaphors The final sentence of an article is always difficult to write, because you want to summarise, evaluate, and be memorable all at the same time For this reason, it is common to find figurative language in the final paragraph, often in the final sentence. Figurative language includes metaphors, but also idioms, proverbs, sayings, citations, etc. How to use metaphors TASK 4 Wrapping things up Underline the figurative language in these textfinal extracts. Find at least one example of analogy conventional metaphor idiom proverb word-play Metaphor themes Some topics are routinely described by reference to (the same) metaphor. Illness and disease are described as enemies in a war which have to be fought or combated with various types of weapons a language metaphor is used to explain how DNA operates: it is a code which has to be cracked or broken and translated into other languages. Metaphor themes TASK 5 Underline the metaphorical language that you can find in this text from Computer Science. What metaphors are used the most? Why do you think these metaphors are suitable? 4

5 What is the difference between a metaphor and an analogy? A metaphor is underspecified - it is up to the reader to interpret what the similarities are and where they lie Similarities are often abstract, connotative or evaluative An analogy is explicit, explaining which similarities are relevant and why. There is a clear and logical connection between the familiar topic(s) and the unfamiliar ones. How electricity works: metaphor Electricity is actually moving electrons. The electrons can flow from atom to atom in metals, such as those used for power lines. Electricity can flow easily as long as the wires are connected in a loop, called a circuit. How electricity works: analogy Many of the properties of electricity can be introduced by analogy to water: Water (charge) flows in pipes (conductors) under pressure (potential) from high points to low points (from higher to lower voltages). Small diameter pipes (resistors) resist the flow of water (current) and cause drops in pressure (voltage drops). TASK 6 Analogies Complete the analogies with one of the terms provided. Politics with cows is necessarily reductive, but can be effective in conveying a general idea. Read Politics with Cows for a one-page summary of political movements in the modern age 5