5.10.2021
lexical metaphor
metaphor = it’s a device used in poetic imagination, but also a matter of ordinary use of language
it’s pervasive, not just in language but also in thoughts and actions, we do that automatically
we talk about lexical metaphor because it’s observable in language
metalanguage = it’s a language that explains language
resource for interpersonal meaning
when we talk with someone we have 2 options:
1. choosing typical wording, using congruent meaning and expression (literal)
2. metaphorical wording, using less congruent meaning
if we choose one instead of the other the effect is different
example: my lawyer is a shark → I mean that he’s aggressive
the metaphorical expression has some elements of similarity with the literal expression, but also
some elements of difference, it’s thanks to this “clash” that we perceive its being a metaphor
metaphor is deeply rooted in culture → a very old lexical metaphor in the English language is “fall
in love”, attested from 1520s
other example with “fall” are: “fall ill”, “fall prey”, “fall to pieces”
the peculiarity of “fall in love” is that it’s the only one that doesn’t have a negative connotation
so what does this metaphor tell us about “falling in love” in the time of Shakespeare?
love and marriage were different things and at the time falling in love with somebody was a
disgraceful thing, so that metaphor was perceived negatively
some common lexical metaphors in English fall under the concepts of:
life is a journey → “he is lost”, “she will go places”, “don’t let anyone stand in your way”
ideas are food → “a piece of cake”, “food for thought”, “this is my bread and butter”
the systematicity of this lexical metaphors has lead to study conceptual metaphors
→ a study by Charterus-Black found that it’s common for both political parties in the UK to include
the use of terms such as “fight”, “battle”, “threat” to illustrate policies
“war metaphors” were also used a lot during covid-19, where the disease was the enemy we
needed to fight in a war
according to research, the “war frame” can increase people perception of the urgency and
relevance of some situations and problems
Charteris-Black says that metaphors are powerful vehicles of persuasion, and they transfer
meaning from what is easily understood to more complex concepts
8.10.2021
transitivity
the system of transitivity is made up of:
processes → which define what’s going on
participants → they depend on the different processes
circumstances → they are optional and add information like time and place of the process
we can have different realisations of the processes:
material process → it’s the default process and general experience of the outer world
