Conceptual metaphor is to understand one idea (conceptual domain) in terms of another.
For example: The understanding of time as money (e.g. I spent at work today”.
A study by “Wickman, S., Daniels, M., White, L., & Fesmire, S. (1999). A “Primer” in Conceptual Metaphor for Counselors.. Journal of Counseling and Development, 77, 389-394.” Conceptual metaphor is a powerful counseling framework that helps clients understand abstract ideas in terms of concrete experiences, enhancing their understanding and experience of relationships.
Another example I found in Literature Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73: “That time of year thou mayst in me behold / When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang / Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, / Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.” (Time as a season, leading to the wasting of life).
| Synonyms | Cognitive metaphor: | Root metaphor | structural metaphor |
| Antonyms | Literal language | Direct representation | Objectivity |
The concept of conceptual metaphor was notably introduced by linguists George Lakoff and Mark Johnson in their influential work “Metaphors We Live By,” published in 1980. In this book and a study “Gibbs, R. (2011). Evaluating Conceptual Metaphor Theory. Discourse Processes, 48, 529 – 562.”, these describe the most common concept Conceptual metaphor theory (CMT) that suggests metaphor is a fundamental part of human thought, with linguistic and psychological evidence supporting its claim.
According to Cognitive Linguistics, conceptual metaphor involves using a familiar source domain as a model to categorize a less explored target domain. It thus becomes a bridge between two conceptual domains. There are two main roles for the conceptual domains posited in conceptual metaphors. A mapping is the way in which a source domain tracks onto and describes aspects of the target domain. Mappings describe the mental organization of information in domains, the underlying sensation that drives metaphorical usage in language.
For example, consider the metaphor “love is a journey.” Here, the source domain “journey” is mapped onto the target domain “love.”
There are multiple mapping principles that rule conceptual metaphor. These principles help explain how abstract or complex concepts are understood in terms of more concrete or familiar domains.
Conceptual metaphors provide a framework for understanding abstract concepts. They do this by mapping them to more familiar or concrete domainsWhen we discuss metaphor, Metaphors can be used as a linguistic device to compare one thing to another. Conceptual metaphor also known as cognitive metaphor or generative metaphor.
So, for creating your own conceptual metaphor , you must dig deep into the essence of a topic, make unexpected connections and use vivid imagery to bring out its meaning. This will allow you to overstep the literal, to uncover profound insights.
But how to Use Conceptual Metaphor? 5 Tips for using Conceptual metaphor use is
- Anchoring in Concrete Experience
- Embracing Universality
- Evoking Emotion:
- Clarifying Complex Concepts
- Adapting to Audience
CMT has been criticized for its embodied nature and reliance on metaphors, but addressing these concerns can improve the theory’s acceptance and acceptance by the public. (“Gibbs, R. (2009). Why Do Some People Dislike Conceptual Metaphor Theory?. Cognitive Semiotics, 5, 14 – 36.” )
What is Conceptual Metaphor?
Conceptual metaphors are cognitive mechanisms that help abstract or complex ideas to be understood and expressed through more familiar or concrete domains. This involves mapping one domain onto another (the target domain) and structuring our understanding based on the knowledge of the source. By providing overarching frames that guide our understanding, conceptual metaphors are fundamental in guiding how we reason and communicate abstract concepts.
Some examples of conceptual metaphors are “love is journey” and “argumentation is war”, which map concrete experiences (journeys or wars) to abstract concepts (love or argumentation).
What are the Examples of Conceptual Metaphors?
Implied metaphors can be found in various forms of communication, including literature, everyday speech, and advertising. Here are a few examples:
- Time is Money: This metaphor equates time with money, where time is treated as a valuable resource that can be spent, saved, or wasted. For example, “I invested a lot of time in that project.”
- Love is a Journey: This metaphor views love as a journey with its ups and downs, twists and turns, and destinations. For instance, “Our relationship is going through a rough patch.”
- Ideas are Food: This metaphor likens ideas to food, where we consume, digest, and share them. For instance, “Let’s chew on that idea for a while.”
- Emotions are Containers: This metaphor treats emotions as containers that can be filled, overflow, or emptied. For example, “My heart is overflowing with joy.”
- Problems are Burdens: This metaphor portrays problems as heavy burdens that we carry with us. For instance, “I’m shouldering a lot of responsibility at work.”
What are the Examples of Implied Metaphors in Literature?
Implied metaphors can be found in various literary works, often used for comedic effect or to highlight the speaker’s confusion or inarticulateness.
- Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18:
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.”In this sonnet, the speaker compares the beauty of the beloved to a summer’s day, illustrating the concept of beauty and perfection through the metaphor of a pleasant, warm season.
- George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”:
The entire allegorical novella uses the metaphor of farm animals to represent different political ideologies and societal structures. For example, the pigs represent the ruling elite, while the other animals symbolize various segments of society.
- Langston Hughes’ “Harlem”:
“What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?”In this poem, Hughes explores the idea of deferred dreams using the metaphor of a raisin in the sun, suggesting that unfulfilled aspirations can wither and lose their vitality over time.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”:
The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock serves as a metaphor for Gatsby’s unattainable dreams and desires, symbolizing his longing for wealth, status, and the past.
- Emily Dickinson’s “Hope is the Thing with Feathers”:
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all…”Here, Dickinson uses the metaphor of hope as a bird to convey its ethereal, enduring nature, emphasizing its ability to uplift and sustain the human spirit.
What are the Synonyms and Antonyms of Conceptual Metaphor?
| Synonyms | Antonyms |
| Cognitive Metaphor | Literal Language: |
| Structural Metaphor: | Concrete Representation: |
| Ideational Metaphor | Objective Description: |
What is the origin of Conceptual metaphor?
The concept of conceptual metaphor originated from the work of cognitive linguists George Lakoff and Mark Johnson in their book “Metaphors We Live By” published in 1980. They proposed that metaphorical language isn’t just a linguistic ornament but reflects fundamental aspects of human thought and understanding.
What is Conceptual Metaphor Theory?
Conceptual metaphor theory (CMT) suggests that metaphor is a fundamental part of human thought, with linguistic and psychological evidence supporting its claim.
A major revolution in the study of metaphor occurred 30 years ago with the introduction of “conceptual metaphor theory” (CMT). Unlike previous theories of metaphor and metaphorical meaning, CMT proposed that metaphor is not just an aspect of language, but a fundamental part of human thought. Indeed, most metaphorical language arises from preexisting patterns of metaphorical thought or conceptual metaphors. This article provides an evaluation of the linguistic and psychological evidence supporting CMT, and responds to some of the criticisms of CMT offered by scholars within cognitive science. Some new ways of thinking of conceptual metaphors from the perspective of embodied simulations and dynamical systems theory are also presented. “Gibbs, R. (2011). Evaluating Conceptual Metaphor Theory. Discourse Processes, 48, 529 – 562.”
What Is Mapping Of Conceptual Metaphor?
Mapping of conceptual metaphor involves connecting two domains of experience, the source domain (which may be more concrete or familiar), and the target domain. This mapping helps us understand abstract concepts by relating them to more concrete experiences. In the metaphor “Time is Money,” for example, time (the target) is understood by comparing it to the concept of money (the origin domain), which allows us to speak about time as a valuable resource that can be saved, spent or wasted. There are multiple mapping principles that rule conceptual metaphor.
What are the Mapping Principles of Conceptual Metaphor?
These principles help explain how abstract or complex concepts are understood in terms of more concrete or familiar domains. Some of the key mapping principles include:
- Structural Mapping: This principle involves mapping the structure of the source domain onto the target domain. For example, in the metaphor “time is money,” the structure of money (spending, saving, investing) is mapped onto time (spending time, saving time).
- Correspondence: It refers to the matching or correspondence between elements of the source and target domains. For instance, in the metaphor “love is a journey,” the stages of a journey (beginning, middle, end) correspond to stages in a romantic relationship.
- Image Schemas: These are recurring patterns of sensory-motor experiences that underlie our understanding of abstract concepts. For example, the image schema of “up-down” is often used in metaphors like “feeling up” or “down in the dumps.”
- Metonymy: Metonymy involves using a part of something to represent the whole. In conceptual metaphor, this principle is used to highlight specific aspects or attributes of the source domain that are relevant to the target domain. For example, in the metaphor “the White House announced a new policy,” the White House represents the U.S. government as a whole.
How Do Conceptual Metaphor and Metaphor Differ?
| Metaphors | Conceptual Metaphors |
|---|---|
| Metaphors are linguistic devices used to describe one thing in terms of another, often to convey abstract or complex ideas more vividly or comprehensively. | Conceptual metaphors are broader cognitive frameworks that structure our understanding of abstract concepts by mapping them onto more concrete or familiar domains. |
| They are typically isolated instances of comparison between two domains, such as “time is money” or “love is a journey.” | They involve systematic mappings between a source domain (concrete or familiar) and a target domain (abstract or complex). |
| Metaphors can be found in individual expressions, sentences, or phrases, and they serve to enhance language and communication by drawing parallels between disparate concepts. | Conceptual metaphors are not limited to individual expressions but instead shape our entire conceptual system and influence how we think, reason, and communicate about various aspects of the world. |
Difference between Implied Metaphor and Mixed Metaphor?
| Implied Metaphor | Mixed Metaphor |
| An implied metaphor is a metaphor where the comparison is not explicitly stated but is implied through the context. | Mixed metaphor is the combination of two or more incompatible metaphors, creating a confusing or illogical statement. |
Why is conceptual metaphor called cognitive metaphor?
Implied metaphor is also called implicit metaphor because it aids understanding abstract concepts through mapping concrete experiences, enhancing cognition by blending disparate domains, enriching language and thought for deeper insights into reality.
How to create your own Conceptual metaphors?
To create your own conceptual metaphor follow these 6 steps!
- Choose an abstract idea (target domain).
- Find a concrete concept (source domain) with similar traits.
- Connect elements of the source and target domains.
- Use vivid language and analogies.
- Ensure coherence and consistency.
- Consider cultural context for resonance.
What are the most important tips for using Implied Metaphor?
Implied metaphors can be used in various ways and it adds depth to writing.
- Be Subtle: Implied metaphor thrives on subtlety, weaving its meaning indirectly into the text.
- Contextual Fit: Ensure the metaphor seamlessly integrates into the context, enhancing rather than distracting from the message.
- Sensory Imagery: Employ vivid sensory imagery to evoke emotions and create a lasting impact.
- Symbolic Significance: Choose metaphors with symbolic significance, enriching the narrative with layers of meaning.
- Reader Engagement: Engage readers by inviting them to decipher the metaphor’s hidden depths, fostering a deeper connection to the text.
How is conceptual metaphor used in Literature?
Conceptual metaphor is used in literature like in writing,poetry and poems!
Why would an author use an Conceptual metaphor?
An author uses conceptual metaphors to make abstract ideas more concrete and understandable. By comparing abstract concepts to familiar experiences, readers can grasp complex ideas more easily.
How conceptual Metaphor is used in poems?
Conceptual metaphors are powerful tools in poetry for conveying complex feelings, themes and ideas. They can be vivid and evocative. They are used by poets to create vivid imagery and sensory experiences which resonate deeply with readers.
Poets can make their themes more relatable by comparing abstract ideas to concrete experiences or objects. By using the metaphor “love is rose,” the poet can express the beauty, fragility and complexity of love by imagining a delicate flower with sharp thorns.
The use of conceptual metaphors allows poets to explore many layers of meaning in a single poem. By juxtaposing disparate elements they can evoke rich association and prompt thought and reflection from the reader.
Conceptual metaphors also allow poets to express feelings and experiences which are difficult to describe directly. Poets can express human emotions and feelings in a way that is deeply resonant with their audience by drawing parallels across different domains of experiences.
In general, conceptual metaphors are a key element in enhancing the language and imagery used by poets, and allowing them to produce works that are intellectually stimulating as well as emotionally engaging.
Why Do Some People Dislike Conceptual Metaphor Theory?
Some people dislike Conceptual Metaphor Theory due to its perceived limitations in fully capturing the complexity and diversity of human thought and language.
CMT has been widely criticized – both as a theory of metaphor use and for its claims about the embodied, metaphorical character of abstract thought. Gibbs in “Why Do Some People Dislike Conceptual Metaphor Theory?.” Cognitive Semiotics, 5 (2009): 14 – 36” Over the past thirty years, scholars working within the CMT framework have gathered an impressive body of empirical research using a variety of linguistic, psychological, and computational modeling methods that support key parts of the theory.
Several metaphor researchers have criticized the methodology with which metaphor is studied (emphasizing concepts instead of words), the direction of analysis (emphasizing a top-down instead of a bottom-up approach), the category level of metaphor (claiming its superordinate status instead of basic level), the embodiment of metaphor (emphasizing the universal, mechanical, and monolithic aspects instead of nonuniversal, nonmechanical, and non monolithic aspects of embodiment), and its relationship to culture (emphasizing the role of universal bodily experience instead of the interaction of body and context).
Despite its popularity in and outside cognitive linguistics, cognitive metaphor theory (CMT) has received a wide range of criticisms in the past two decades. (“Kövecses, Z. (2008). Conceptual metaphor theory: Some criticisms and alternative proposals. Review of Cognitive Linguistics. Published under the auspices of the Spanish Cognitive Linguistics Association, 6, 168-184. “)