"A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another."
The use of one concept or domain to understand another concept or domain.
Linguistics: A study of the structure, use, and meaning of language, including syntax, grammar, semantics, and pragmatics. It plays a crucial role in understanding metaphors as they are embedded in language.
Cognitive psychology: It is the study of mental processes, including attention, perception, memory, language, and thinking, and their relationship to behavior. It helps us understand how metaphors are processed in the mind.
Semiotics: It is the study of signs and symbols, including their use, interpretation, and meaning. Metaphors are also symbolic in nature, and semiotics provides a framework for understanding them.
Philosophy: Metaphors have philosophical significance since they are used to explain abstract concepts and ideas. The study of philosophy helps to uncover the underlying meaning of metaphors.
Anthropology: It is the study of human cultures and societies, including their beliefs, values, and practices. Anthropology helps us understand how metaphors are used across different cultures and contexts.
Literary analysis: A study of literature and its components, including theme, plot, characterization, symbolism, and figurative language. Metaphors are frequently used in literature, and a study of literary analysis helps to uncover their meaning.
Linguistic anthropology: It is a subfield of anthropology that focuses on the relationship between language and culture. Since metaphors are embedded in language, linguistic anthropology provides a framework for understanding their cultural significance.
Cognitive linguistics: It is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of language that incorporates insights from cognitive psychology and linguistics. Cognitive linguistics helps us understand how metaphors are processed in the mind.
Visual arts: A study of the visual arts, including painting, sculpture, and photography. Metaphors can be represented visually, and an appreciation of the visual arts can help to understand their use.
Communication: The study of how meaning is conveyed through different channels, including language, visual media, and nonverbal communication. Understanding communication helps to understand how metaphors are used to convey meaning.
Education: Metaphors are frequently used in education to explain complex ideas and concepts. A study of education helps to understand how metaphors are used in teaching and learning.
Cultural studies: The study of culture, including its practices, products, and representations. A study of cultural studies helps to understand how metaphors are used to represent and shape cultural practices.
Cognitive science: The interdisciplinary study of how the mind processes information. Cognitive science provides insights into how metaphors are processed in the mind and how they influence thinking.
Gender studies: The study of how gender influences culture, society, and individuals. A study of gender studies helps to understand how metaphors are used to shape gender roles and identities.
Social psychology: The study of how people interact with each other and the social world. An understanding of social psychology helps to understand how metaphors are used in social interaction and how they shape social relationships.
Orientational metaphor: Involves the use of spatial concepts and metaphors such as "up," "down," "vertical," and "horizontal" to describe non-spatial abstract concepts.
Ontological metaphor: Refers to the use of metaphors to highlight the relationship between two entities such as "the mind is a machine" or "the brain is a computer.".
Structural metaphor: Refers to the use of metaphorical structures to connect two entities or concepts. An example is "love is a journey" or "a person's life is a story.".
Orientational-substantial metaphor: Combines elements of orientational and ontological metaphors to describe abstract concepts such as "a person's mind is a container.".
Phenomenological metaphor: Refers to the use of subjective experience to conceptualize abstract concepts. An example is "love is warmth.".
Ontological-substantive metaphor: Combines elements of ontological and structural metaphors to create complex relationships between abstract concepts. An example is "language is a tool.".
Epistemological metaphor: Refers to the use of metaphors to describe the processes involved in acquiring knowledge. An example is "learning is like building a house.".
Experiential metaphor: Refers to the use of metaphors to describe personal experiences.
Conceptual system metaphor: Refers to the use of metaphors to describe complex systems. An example is "an organization is a machine.".
"It may provide (or obscure) clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas."
"Metaphors are often compared with other types of figurative language, such as antithesis, hyperbole, metonymy, and simile."
"This quotation expresses a metaphor because the world is not literally a stage [...] By asserting that the world is a stage, Shakespeare uses points of comparison between the world and a stage to convey an understanding about the mechanics of the world and the behavior of the people within it."
"In the ancient Hebrew psalms (around 1000 B.C.), one finds already vivid and poetic examples of metaphor such as, 'The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold' and 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want'."
"Some recent linguistic theories view all language in essence as metaphorical."
"The word metaphor itself is a metaphor, coming from a Greek term meaning 'transference (of ownership)'."
"The user of a metaphor alters the reference of the word, 'carrying' it from one semantic 'realm' to another."
"The new meaning of the word might be derived from an analogy between the two semantic realms."
"The new meaning of the word might be derived [...] from other reasons such as the distortion of the semantic realm - for example in sarcasm."
"By asserting that the world is a stage, Shakespeare uses points of comparison between the world and a stage to convey an understanding about the mechanics of the world and the behavior of the people within it."
"In the ancient Hebrew psalms, one finds already vivid and poetic examples of metaphor [...] to convey powerful and spiritual ideas about God's protection and guidance."
"Metaphors are often compared with other types of figurative language, such as antithesis, hyperbole, metonymy, and simile."
"Some recent linguistic theories view all language in essence as metaphorical, suggesting that metaphors play a fundamental role in our understanding and communication."
"Metaphors may provide (or obscure) clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas."
"The use of metaphors can enhance understanding by linking abstract or complex concepts to more familiar or tangible experiences."
"Distorting the semantic realm through sarcasm, for example, can create new meanings and evoke particular emotions or attitudes through metaphorical language."
"The quotation 'The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer' exemplifies a metaphorical representation of God's strength and protection."
"By using the metaphor 'The world is a stage,' Shakespeare suggests that people are akin to actors playing different roles, highlighting the performative aspects of human behavior."
"The metaphor 'The Lord is my shepherd' creates a vivid image of God as a caring and guiding presence, emphasizing the relationship between the psalmist and God."