Abstract
In this article we show the evolution of the view of metaphor in relevance theory and challenge its deflationary account of metaphor, defended from its inception, as loosening in a continuum. In current relevance theory, loose uses not only convey implicatures but also explicatures in which ad hoc concepts appear (CARSTON, 2002, 2010a; SPERBER; WILSON, 2008). These, in the case of metaphor, cause the emergent property issue which, according to them, is solved taking into account that a loose use may be included in a loose use (WILSON; CARSTON, 2008). In addition, the most creative cases have to be explained considering an interpretation route different from ad hoc concept construction (CARSTON, 2010b). These moves generate new problems and thus we argue that metaphorical interpretation can be better explained resorting to metaphorical ad hoc concepts that result from a partial mapping from one conceptual domain into another (ROMERO; SORIA, 2005).
Highlights
In this context our second aim arises. This is to show that the remaining problems are really solved when metaphorical interpretation is explained taking into account metaphorical ad hoc concepts that result from an inferential task that involves a partial mapping from a conceptual domain into another (ROMERO; SORIA, 1997/98, 2005, 2007).2. This mechanism is specific to metaphor and allows for a homogeneous explanation of the type of ad hoc concept construction that characterizes all cases of metaphorical interpretation including the interpretation of highly creative examples whose metaphorical vehicles stand for ad hoc concepts
In this article we have argued that the mapping approach to metaphor offers an alternative to RT approach to metaphor as a case of loosening in a continuum
When we claim that analogical reasoning is required in the construction of metaphorical ad hoc concepts we are not denying the role of PR in the interpretation of a metaphorical utterance, quite on the contrary, we have argued that the matching of properties in the relational system is achieved following the PR
Summary
Relevance theory ( RT) has defended from its inception a deflationary account of metaphor as a consequence of defending a continuity view, on which metaphor is interpreted in the same way as other loose uses (SPERBER; WILSON, 1986/1995, p. 233-237). After Carston‟s (1997, 2002) identification of a questionable asymmetry between enrichment and loosening within RT, Wilson and Carston (2007) propose their view of lexical pragmatics that aims at developing a unitary account of how word meanings are adjusted in context They defend that interpretation, and more metaphor interpretation, often needs ad hoc atomic concept construction. This is to show that the remaining problems are really solved when metaphorical interpretation is explained taking into account metaphorical ad hoc concepts that result from an inferential task that involves a partial mapping from a conceptual domain into another (ROMERO; SORIA, 1997/98, 2005, 2007).2 This mechanism is specific to metaphor and allows for a homogeneous explanation of the type of ad hoc concept construction that characterizes all cases of metaphorical interpretation including the interpretation of highly creative examples whose metaphorical vehicles (the metaphorically used words) stand for ad hoc concepts.. This is to show that the remaining problems are really solved when metaphorical interpretation is explained taking into account metaphorical ad hoc concepts that result from an inferential task that involves a partial mapping from a conceptual domain into another (ROMERO; SORIA, 1997/98, 2005, 2007). This mechanism is specific to metaphor and allows for a homogeneous explanation of the type of ad hoc concept construction that characterizes all cases of metaphorical interpretation including the interpretation of highly creative examples whose metaphorical vehicles (the metaphorically used words) stand for ad hoc concepts. This specific explanation of metaphor is not in opposition to the core tenets of RT (in particular to the Principle of Relevance), but it is in opposition to the proposal, included in the development of lexical pragmatics, of metaphor as loosening in a continuum.
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