Wind, Wave, and Generative Metaphor in Greek

Abstract

ion. Lexical expressions only reflect this relationship, though, and the actual metaphorical linkage is made at a deeper cognitive level. According to Lakoff and Johnson, three basic operators organize all metaphor: the target domain (an abstract concept to be described metaphorically), the source domain (a relatively concrete concept which will be applied to the target), and mappings (the relational correspondences between the two domains). In the conventional    formula, X is generally the target domain and Y is the source. To illustrate how these relationships come together, consider the metaphor    : the target domain of this metaphor is the concept of love, a famously abstract concept (and one that is the subject of many common metaphors), while the source domain of the     metaphor is, of course, the concept of a journey. This core metaphor is realized in expressions such as Our relationship is on the wrong track, We are at a crossroads, and We are making progress in our relationship. Table . lists several example mappings that can be derived from such expressions:7 Source Target travelers lovers a vehicle the love relationship a journey events in the relationship distance travelled duration of the relationship directions taken decisions about what to do mishaps during travel periods of strife etc. etc. T .: Example     mappings Note that the examples in no way represent all of the generating metaphor’s available mappings. Indeed, this particular metaphor is very common and quite productive in American English; the vagueness and semantic breadth of the source domain makes the number of possible mappings nearly limitless, but with all metaphors a certain number of core mappings will . Adapted from Kovecses, Metaphor, pp.-.