Metaphorical Expressions Research Articles

An Investigation of Metaphoric Perceptions about the Concept of Creative Drama

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether the perceptions of the participants selected from English teachers about creative drama reflect the general characteristics of creative drama by using metaphor method. Design/Methodology/Approach: Phenomenological research is concerned with how people experience the world at a given time and in a specific context. In other words, phenomenological research aims to describe, understand and interpret the structure of phenomena arising in mind as a result of the interaction of the individuals with the World. “A metaphor form” was used as the data collection tool to determine the perceptions of the teachers about the concept of creative drama. In the form, there is an expression “ creative drama is (a)... because.....”. the participant selection was based on purposive sampling and particiapants were sixty English teacher. Findings: The obtained data were analyzed through content analysis. Results showed that there occured 30 metaphoric expressions and 7 categories. These metaphors were based on game, roleplaying, several themes, creativity, real life, its developmental aspect and wasting time. Highlights: Metaphors direct, shed light and guide our practices. This situation translates into “If a picture is worth a thousand words, a metaphor is worth a thousand pictures; Because a picture just presents a static image, a metaphor provides a mental framework for being about a phenomenon.” (Shuell, 1990) is also clearly reflected. This quote effectively reveals how metaphors are a powerful tool in recording and indicating the general distribution of the human profile and especially the educators themselves.

Cross-linguistic Interpretation of Figurative Expressions in Collaborative Language Learning: Gaps as Instances for Learning

The aim of this article is to explore how students approach, try to understand, and interpret figurative expressions in the context of language learning. Interpreting figurative language represents a challenge as languages are rich in metaphorical expressions and contextual/local references. The empirical study was carried out in the context of collaborative work in classrooms with students 12 to 13 years of age, translating two songs, one in English and one in Swedish. The results show that the students struggle to capture the sense of the lyrics. Addressing these difficulties, students engage in language-related episodes (LRE’s) where they topicalize language, meta-communicate and inquire into acceptable cross-linguistic interpretations that preserve the metaphorical nature of the expressions. Their linguistic sensitivity and familiarity with specific metaphorical expressions, contextual and local references are challenged, and their learning process involves an increasing capacity to talk about and reflect on the meaning potentials of linguistic expressions.

국어의 조사를 대체하는 다단어 표현 연구: 체계기능언어학의 경험적 은유의 관점

Objectives The purpose of this paper is to explain the relationship between experiential metaphors and multiword expressions that substitute for postpositional markers in Korean from the perspective of systemic functional linguistics. Methods grammatical metaphor, a concept introduced in Halliday (1985), operates in the opposite direction of metaphor to lexical metaphor. Whereas lexical metaphor starts at the lexical-grammatical level and realizes ‘alternative meanings’ at the discourse-semantic level, grammatical metaphor starts at the discourse-semantic level and realizes ‘alternative forms’ at the lexical-grammatical level. More specifically, circumstantial(or postpositional) metaphor is a phenomenon in which a multiword expression, such as phrase or clause, metaphorizes the meaning of a particular adverbial postposition, and has various lexicogrammatical alternative realizations. Here, the former circumstantial metaphoric expressions are called incongruent, and the latter adverbial postpositions are called congruent. Results The results of this study show that multiword expressions in Korean three different kinds: verbatim type, experiential metaphor type (Type I), experiential idiomatic type (Type II). Among these, the verbatim is only recognized as an entry stage for multiword expressions. After reviewing in detail the lists of previous studies (postpostion equivalents, postpostional collocation, periphrastic construction, grammaticalization, etc.), this paper applies the criteria of non-congruent, congruent, and postpositional meanings to them, and finally selects 34 experiential metaphors that substitute for postpositional markers and 13 idiomatic forms that replace postpositional markers. Conclusions Although we have limited our discussion to grammatical metaphors as substitution for postpositional markers, the scope of application of grammatical metaphors is very broad, and future research efforts need to continue to expand the scope.

Metaphor as a Means of Expression in the Media

This article examines the role of metaphor as a means of expressiveness in mass media (MM). It analyzes examples of metaphors from Kyrgyz newspapers, particularly from the publication “Slovo Kyrgyzstana”, emphasizing their emotional impact and ability to create vivid imagery. Based on theoretical approaches to the study of metaphors in media texts, the main functions of metaphorical expressions that contribute to a deeper perception of information are identified. Special attention is given to the role of metaphor in addressing socio-political and economic issues, as well as cultural processes.

TRANSLATION OF METAPHORS IN MODERN DIPLOMATIC DISCOURSE (BASED ON RUSSIAN, CHINESE AND ENGLISH MATERIALS)

A metaphor in diplomatic discourse is a figure of speech or expression that transfers meaning from one context to another, usually to enhance the impact of a message or make complex ideas easier to understand. In diplomacy, metaphors are often used to make communication more visual and memorable, as well as to covertly convey intentions and positions without directly expressing them. This article explores the complexities and subtleties of translating metaphorical expressions that play an important role in diplomatic communication. The author analyzes metaphors used in diplomatic discourse in three different linguistic and cultural contexts: Russian, Chinese and English, highlighting three categories of equivalence: complete, partial and no equivalence. The choice of translation method (literal, descriptive or free) depends on the degree of equivalence of the metaphor in the source and target languages. The study highlights the importance of adequate translation of metaphors for accurate and effective intercultural communication, suggesting translation strategies for each category. The work contributes to translation theory and practice by emphasizing the need to consider cultural and contextual factors to achieve intercultural understanding in diplomacy.

Metaphorical richness

Abstract The present study probes into a comparative study of metaphorical expressions of money in English and Chinese. By hiring corpus-based methodology, this article aims to gain insight into the universality and variation of money-related conceptual metaphors manifested in corresponding linguistic expressions in English and Chinese. Drawing on the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, the findings unravel a significant overlay in money-related conceptual metaphors between English and Chinese, upholding a notch of acclaim. Additionally, a small part of money-related conceptual metaphors is specific in a certain kind of language, either in English or Chinese. Meanwhile, the present study tends to explore metaphorical conceptualizations of money primarily based on common bodily experiences, and thus, most money-related conceptual metaphors are universal in English and Chinese, while the variations in English and Chinese can be explained by cultural experiences. Consequently, this research contributes to our understanding of the interplay between conceptual unit schematicity and embodiment hierarchy. Moreover, it bids valued insights for future comparative studies on conceptual metaphors spanning diverse languages and cultures.

Functions of Ideational Metaphor in English

Types of ideational metaphor in English considered in this research incorporate nominalization, verbalization, and adjectivization. Previous studies particularly highlighted functions of nominalization, leaving the other types of ideational metaphor unconsidered; in addition, expressions of ideational metaphor are not carefully selected while exploring the functions realized by these expressions. Against this backdrop, functions of ideational metaphor uncovered in previous studies are insufficient of coverage and typicality. Drawing on COCA in this research, a corpus of typical American English, expressions of the three types of ideational metaphor with significant attraction by means of the simple collexeme analysis are employed to analyze the functions that these metaphorical expressions actually realize in their linguistic contexts. The findings demonstrated that expressions of ideational metaphor could realize such interpersonal functions as authoritativeness and objectivity, such ideational functions as conciseness, abstractness, ambiguity, and semantic condensation, and such textual functions as formality and cohesion. Explanations to these realized functions of ideational metaphor are also provided. This research is of great significance in that the documented functions are typical and representative of ideational metaphor in English.

Characteristics of the Fulfulde Nominal Class Suffix and its Implication on the Syntactic Principle of Antecedence

This is a study funded on the opinion that the characteristics of Fulfulde nominal class suffix and its implication on the syntactic principle of the antecedent. It discusses the structure of nominal phrases, and the classes of nominal phrase as well as determine the factors behind nominal classes in Fulfulde language. The data of this research was extracted through verbal interviews with the native speakers, which was collected and interpreted through its English glosses as well as analysed based on the framework ethnolinguistics characteristics. It also reduces the ambiguity that is responsible for the apparent ease with which metaphoric expressions are employed by native speakers of Fulfulde.

Hubungan Ranah Sumber dan Ranah Target dalam Ungkapan Metaforis Tentang Pendidian di Media Sosial X

This study aims to identify conceptual metaphors about education on the social media platform X, as well as the types of metaphors that emerge from observing the phenomenon of educational development in Indonesia, which prompts people to express their emotions on Twitter. Because the use of conceptual metaphors likely occurs unintentionally, resulting in diverse forms, this study seeks to explore the relationship between the source domain and the target domain in metaphorical expressions unintentionally produced by individuals about education. The data in this study is qualitative; data collection was done by documenting and observing data on the social media platform X, aided by note-taking techniques to record the data found, which was then analyzed using the conceptual metaphor theory of Kovecses (2006), which divides metaphors into three types: structural, orientational, and ontological. The study's results show the forms of conceptual metaphors found include education as a place, education as wealth, good as up, bad as down, and education as an entity.

Exploring Nursing Students' Metaphorical Perceptions and Cognitive Structures Related to the Global Climate Crisis's Impact on Nursing.

This study aimed to explore the metaphorical perceptions and cognitive structures of Turkish nursing students related to the impact of the global climate crisis on their profession. Researchers adopted a qualitative approach centered on metaphor analysis and involved 40 Turkish nursing students enrolled in programs in Türkiye during October 2023. Using metaphor analysis and techniques involving writing and drawing, the study uncovered how these students perceive and cognitively structure the influence of the global climate crisis on their nursing careers. The interview form featured the metaphor expression "The reflection of the global climate crisis on nursing is like … because …," while the drawing component prompted students to determine their perspectives on the climate crisis's impact on nursing through concept drawings. The research adhered to the COREQ checklist. The study revealed that nursing students generated 22 metaphors each through written and drawing techniques. Written metaphors were grouped into five categories: psychosocial challenges faced by nurses, patient populations, diseases and coping, burdens on the health system, and the growing importance of various fields within nursing. Drawing technique metaphors were grouped into four categories: nurses and the difficulties they face, the impact of the global climate crisis on the world, the impact of the global climate crisis on the healthcare sector, and the roles and responsibilities of nurses. While nursing students expressed diverse opinions, their concerns about the reflection of the global climate crisis on nursing yielded similar emotional responses. Metaphors are mostly focused on psychosocial challenges faced by nurses, the patient population, diseases, and coping mechanisms. The findings underscored nursing students' concerns about the global climate crisis's impact on both their profession and the broader community.

Metaphorical constructs and semiotic expressions in the BBC Yoruba Internet memes of English Premier League match results

Metaphorical constructs and semiotic expressions in the BBC Yoruba Internet memes of English Premier League match results

“Biden’s Saigon”

Abstract This study examined the Russian state-sponsored outlet “Sputnik’s” metaphorical use in covering American withdrawal from Afghanistan to explain rhetorical devices used to disseminate discourse about Russia’s geo-political rival, the United States. Using the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP), the study analyzed 28 main metaphors and metaphorical expressions in “Sputnik’s” coverage during the week of the American pullout. Metaphors such as Biden’s Saigon, puppet government, or Night of the Long Knives suggest the existence of a discourse criticizing the rival and historicizing the event. The results are interpreted in light of using metaphors in the media’s conflict coverage.

Skema Citra Ruang pada Ungkapan Metaforis dalam Novel Laut Bercerita Karya Leila S. Chudori: Kajian Semantik Kognitif

This research aims to describe the spatial image schemas in metaphorical expressions in the novel Laut Bercerita by Leila S. Chudori. Previous research has mostly analyze metaphors based on types of space, so research on types of image schemes has not been studied much. The research method is descriptive qualitative. Data was collected using the observation method with close reading techniques, then analyzed using the distributional method. The theory used image schema according to Croft and Cruse (2004) and metaphor according to Lakoff and Johnson (2003). The results of the research show that the spatial image scheme in the novel Laut Bercerita consists of top-bottom, near-far, and center-surround spatial image schemes. All data includes a type of orientational metaphor because orientational metaphor is closely related to the spatial image scheme. The spatial image scheme is spatially oriented, as is the characteristic of orientational metaphor. Therefore, the type of metaphor with a spatial image scheme is an orientational metaphor.

Analysis of Multimodal Metaphor and Values Representation in Children’s Picture Books

Children’s picture books, as a form of text interwoven with vision and language, carry rich cultural information and educational functions. The purpose of this article is to explore the phenomenon of multimodal metaphor in children’s picture books and reveal its influence on ideological construction. Firstly, the article compiles the research background and puts forward the research value of multimodal metaphors in children’s picture books. Then, it constructs an analytical framework for children’s picture books that integrates visual semiotics and metaphor theory, and analyzes the specific use of multimodal metaphors in children’s picture books through example analyses, including the interaction between images and words, the symbolism of colors and shapes, and the construction of metaphors in the narrative structure. These case studies reveal how children’s understanding of the world is shaped by multimodal metaphorical strategies in picture books, which in turn subconsciously convey specific values and ideologies. Future research should explore more deeply the differences of multimodal metaphors in different cultural contexts and their application strategies in children’s education, with a view to cultivating children’s critical thinking and promoting diversified development of children’s picture books.

Структурно-семантичні особливості ідіом з колірними компонентами в англомовному діловому дискурсі

In recent years, the study of language has evolved to explore the intricate nuances that shape our communication. One fascinating aspect of language is the use of idioms, which enable speakers to convey emotions indirectly through metaphorical expression. Although idioms enrich language and enhance its expressiveness and vividness, they often cause difficulties for people learning English. Among the myriad of idioms, those related to colours stand out as vibrant and captivating elements of linguistic diversity. Colour is an objective quality of the material world, encoded by language signs into a diverse array of information. Colour schemes and their designations are universal elements of the larger colour symbolic system, composed of multiple subsystems each with their own function and structure. As carriers of information about the surrounding world, colour designations are meaningful topics for cognitive, psycholinguistic, linguistic, and cultural studies. Understanding the structural and semantic features of colour idioms is essential for unravelling the intricate threads that make up effective communication, especially in the context of business discourse. The purpose of this paper is to delve into the semantic and structural features of colour idioms used in English business discourse. General methods (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, classification), theoretical methods (system analysis), graphical, as well as methods of logical, system-structural analysis and connections, comparative and dialectical approaches have been used. Results. Colour symbolism, like any other, is based on the peculiarities of the human psyche, on various associations, which are based on everyday human experience, fed by mythological, religious and aesthetic views. Examining business idioms with the colour component we can say that the semantics of this component often differ from the semantics of the same colour name in free use. The meanings of different colours in business idioms were scrutinized. A detailed analysis was also carried out and a certain proportion of idioms was determined by structures and colours, and the corresponding diagrams were given. The study shows the prevalence of the blue colour (17%), followed by black (15%), red and white (13% each). The yellow colour appears to be less utilized, constituting only 2% of the analysed idioms. The analysis of the syntactic characteristics of colour idioms has shown the dominance of nominal idioms (80%), followed by verbal idioms (10%) with adjectival making up 6% and the adverbial being represented by 1 lexical unit (4%). The originality of this article lies in the study of the symbolism of colours in terms of their use in business phraseological units, and a detailed structural and semantic analysis of colour idioms used in business discourse. Conclusion. The study underscores the significance of colour idioms within the business vocabulary, emphasizing their relevance. Proficiency in these expressions not only enriches one's linguistic repertoire but also enhances communication skills. Business idioms are an important segment in the business vocabulary. Colour idioms occupy a large share in business phraseology, the study of which requires further research.

Conceptual Metaphor “MEDIA AS A TRAP” in Vietnamese and English online Newspapers

The study explores the conceptual metaphor of "MEDIA AS A TRAP" in Vietnamese and English, aiming to understand perceptions of media in these linguistic contexts. Using the theory of conceptual metaphor in cognitive linguistics, alongside descriptive and semantic analysis methods, the research establishes and analyzes the mapping from the source domain of "TRAP" to the target domain of "MEDIA." By examining metaphorical expressions in press texts, the study uncovers underlying cognitive models, including media as trickery and media as a scam. Survey data reveals similar frequencies of metaphorical expressions in both languages, with 110 instances in Vietnamese and 90 in English, indicating a shared understanding of the metaphor. The analysis highlights significant parallels and distinctions in the conceptual metaphor "MEDIA IS A TRAP" between Vietnamese and English, underscoring its universal cognitive and linguistic significance. Both languages employ similar conceptual metaphorical expressions, yet exhibit subtle differences reflecting distinct cultural perspectives.

The Power to Move the Eiffel Tower: Conceptual Metaphor and Persuasion in L2 Argumentative Writing

This article analyses conceptual metaphors produced in argumentative writing by learners of English as a second language (L2). Founded on the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, it explores the linguistic metaphorical expressions which reflect an underlying conceptual metaphor. By drawing on Critical Metaphor Analysis, this research adopts a qualitative approach to analysing the concealed motivations behind a conceptual metaphor use. The data of this study comprise five argumentative essay samples collected from foundation year students at a private university in Malaysia. This study reveals how a conceptual metaphor is evoked to frame an argument in a way that is advantageous to the participants, particularly in establishing their stance on the proposition that social media is advantageous rather than disadvantageous to its users. Seven conceptual metaphors identified from the five samples of writing are related to social media, namely global mass gathering, loudspeaker, free society, accommodation, teacher, strong force and maze. While the first six metaphors serve as rhetorical tools to aid the participants in establishing arguments, the last metaphor is raised in the counterclaim section to illustrate how the opposition could equally rely on conceptual metaphors to establish its viewpoint. In instances where the metaphors are deployed as rhetorical devices, the participants’ covert intention to convince readers of their standpoint is achieved by utilising the conceptual metaphors to illuminate abstract ideas, arouse positive or negative emotions in readers, indicate positive or negative evaluations and evoke an ideology.

Metaphorical conceptualizations of generative artificial intelligence use by Chinese university EFL learners

The unveiling of ChatGPT 4o by OpenAI, a multimodal large language model powered by Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), has injected interest and incited debate throughout the echelon of education institutions regarding its prospective benefits and drawbacks. Nonetheless, investigations into the learners’ perceptions of GenAI use in learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) remain markedly insufficient. The study adopts an explorative stance and aims to explore the attitudes and perceptions of Chinese EFL learners toward GenAI use in language learning through the application of metaphor analysis. Data were collected from 281 EFL students of varying majors in four key universities across China by completing a sentence using metaphors to elicit their attitudes and perceptions toward GenAI use in language learning. Through qualitative analysis of metaphorical constructs, including HUMANS, TOOL/MACHINE, BRAIN, RESOURCES, FOOD/DRINK, and MEDICINE metaphors, the study unveils a spectrum of attitudes toward GenAI. While some language learners perceived GenAI as supportive, helpful, and intelligent, others expressed concerns about over-reliance and potential loss of critical thinking skills. The findings underscore the importance of considering learners’ diverse attitudes and beliefs toward GenAI use and application in language learning pedagogy. The implications of these findings for the future integration of GenAI in language education are discussed, complemented by recommendations for further research and pedagogical practice.

Context, transparency and culture in motor resonance phenomena: Causal evidence of the motor cortex

A connection between language and movement information in metaphorical and literal expressions activates the motor system. Despite numerous studies exploring distinctions between idioms and metaphors, a notable research gap remains in the specific effect of idioms with different transparency levels concerning motor resonance. Our primary focus was analysing the functional role of the primary motor cortex (M1) in processing hand motor verbs both in literal expressions and in two idiomatic contexts, i.e., opaque and transparent idioms. Additionally, we explored a potential language and cultural effect by comparing Turkish and Spanish speakers. An overt priming task with self-paced reading was used to judge the relatedness of a primer and a target sentence. We implemented a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocol using continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) compared to sham stimulation over the M1 in both Turkish and Spanish native speakers prior to the experimental task. Our findings reveal that the performance of Turkish and Spanish participants in processing hand motor actions was facilitated after the application of cTBS over the left M1. Moreover, brain stimulation specifically facilitated the processing of only transparent—but not opaque—idioms in both Spanish and Turkish participants. Our study reports distinct motor resonance results between different types of idioms with a parallel cross-cultural effect.

Rhetorical Construct of the Self: An Exploration of Writings of Teacher Education Students with Delayed College Enrollment

Understanding people’s thinking and actions through exploring their word choice in written discourse can provide an objective analysis of their behavioural patterns in responding to life adversities. This study utilising quantitative and qualitative approaches is an attempt to investigate the coping mechanisms as response to the challenges of pursuing a bachelor’s degree of teacher education students who had postponed their college enrollment after graduating from high school. This investigation revolved around analysing students’ written essays for personality type profiling using M. A. K. Halliday’s Transitivity Theory and exploiting their aspired professional identity employing Lakoff and Johnson’s Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The analysis of students’ written essays dealing with life challenges revealed their dominant actor, carrier and senser-personality types that reinforced their self consciousness enabling them to be reflective and strategic in addressing life challenges. Moreover, the conceptual metaphor “Teachers are Heroes”, as disclosed by the metaphorical constructs of their aspired professional identity, helped them develop motivation, as they realised the significant role which professional teachers play in the society. This self-identification derived from their projected personality types and the motivation they gained from realising their aspired professional identity served as a coping mechanism by stimulating their confidence in dealing with the challenges associated with continuing their college education. To enhance self-awareness and promote self-reflection among teacher education students, this study advocates the integration of the theories of transitivity and metaphor into teacher education curricula for professional identity development.