Metalanguage - Role in Metaphor

Role in Metaphor

Michael J. Reddy (1979) discovered and has demonstrated that much of the language we use to talk about language is conceptualized and structured by what he refers to as the conduit metaphor. This paradigm operates through two distinct, related frameworks.

The major framework views language as a sealed pipeline between people:
1. Language transfers people's thoughts and feelings (mental content) to others

ex: Try to get your thoughts across better.

2. Speakers and writers insert their mental content into words

ex: You have to put each concept into words more carefully.

3. Words are containers

ex: That sentence was filled with emotion.

4. Listeners and writers extract mental content from words

ex: Let me know if you find any new sensations in the poem.

The minor framework views language as an open pipe spilling mental content into the void:
1. Speakers and writers eject mental content into an external space

ex: Get those ideas out where they can do some good.

2. Mental content is reified (viewed as concrete) in this space

ex: That concept has been floating around for decades.

3. Listeners and writers extract mental content from this space

ex: Let me know if you find any good concepts in the essay.

Read more about this topic:  Metalanguage

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