Conceptual metaphor

Conceptual Metaphor

Conceptual Metaphor Theory is a framework developed by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson in their 1980 book, "Metaphors We Live By". The theory posits that metaphors are not merely linguistic expressions but fundamental mechanisms of human thought, influencing how we perceive, think, and act. Conceptual metaphors are pervasive patterns of thought where one idea or conceptual domain (the target) is understood in terms of another domain (the source).

For instance, the metaphor "ARGUMENT IS WAR" shapes the way we talk and think about arguments:

• "He attacked my point."

• "I defended my position."

• "She won the argument."

In the examples above, the domain of war (source) provides the framework for understanding arguments (target). Lakoff and Johnson (1980) proposed that many of the things we do in arguing are partially structured by the concept of "war". Eventhough there aren't any physical battle but there is a verbal battle and the structure of an argument (attack, defense, counterattack, etc) reflects this.

Lakoff and Johnson, then categorized conceptual metaphors into three distinct types of metaphors which include structural, orientational, and ontological metaphors.

Structural Metaphor

Structural metaphor is a type of metaphor that conceptualizes a more abstract thing into a more concrete concept. Structural metaphors are based on two domains, the source domain and the target domain. It assumes that the target domain is based on systemic correlations in our daily life. An example of a structural metaphor given by Lakoff and Johnson in the concept of "TIME IS MONEY, TIME IS A LIMITED RESOURCE, TIME IS A PRECIOUS OBJECT" is:

• "You waste my time"
• "I have no time for you"
• "You are running out of time"

In the examples above, "time" is conceptualized with an object that is our daily experience. Time is considered a precious thing and has a value, like money. It is also based on the role of culture that supports "time" to be conceptualized as "money" so that the sentence can be succesfully understood. There are cultures that do not use these things to conceptualize time (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).

What to write next: - The definition of orientational metaphors - Some examples of orientational metaphors - The definition of ontological metaphors - The example of ontological metaphors

Reference

Lakoff,G., & Johnson,M. (1980). Metaphors We Live By. The University of Chicago.