Metaphor in Culture: Universality and Variation
Cambridge University Press
Edition: Illustrated, 2/7/2005
EAN 9780521844475, ISBN10: 0521844479
Hardcover, 334 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
To what extent and in what ways is metaphorical thought relevant to an understanding of culture and society? More specifically: can the cognitive linguistic view of metaphor simultaneously explain both universality and diversity in metaphorical thought? Cognitive linguists have done important work on universal aspects of metaphor, but they have paid much less attention to why metaphors vary both interculturally and intraculturally as extensively as they do. In this book, Zoltán Kövecses proposes a new theory of metaphor variation. First, he identifies the major dimension of metaphor variation, that is, those social and cultural boundaries that signal discontinuities in human experience. Second, he describes which components, or aspects of conceptual metaphor are involved in metaphor variation, and how they are involved. Third, he isolates the main causes of metaphor variation. Fourth Professor Kövecses addresses the issue to the degree of cultural coherence in the interplay among conceptual metaphors, embodiment, and causes of metaphor variation.
1. Introduction
metaphor and the issue of universality
Part I. Universal Metaphors
2. Metaphor
from language to body and back
3. Universality in metaphorical conceptualization
Part II. Dimensions of Metaphor Variation
4. Cross-cultural variation
5. Within-culture variation in metaphor
Part III. Aspects of Metaphor Involved in Variation
6. How components of conceptual metaphor are involved in variation
7. Conceptual metaphors and their linguistic expression in different languages
8. Metaphor in social-physical reality
9. Metaphors and cultural models
Part IV. Causes of Metaphor Variation
10. Causes of variation in metaphor
11. Creativity
metaphor and blending
12. Culture, coherence, conflict
References
Index.