Metaphor - Its Cognitive Force and Linguistic Structure

A detailed revision and refinement of the "semantic theory of metaphor," this book provides a comprehensive philosophical theory explicating metaphor's cognitive contribution. According to the author, metaphor effects a transference of meaning, not between two terms, but between two structured domains of content, or "semantic fields." Semantic fields, construed as necessary to a theory of word-meaning, provide the contrastive and affinitive relations that govern a term's literal use. In a metaphoric use, these relations are projected into a second domain which is thereby reordered with significant cognitive effects. Amply illustrated with sensitive and systematic analyses of metaphors found in literature, philosophy, science, and quotidian language, this book forges a new understanding of the relation between metaphoric and literal meaning.

List of contents

Introduction; Towards a perspectival theory; The identification of metaphor; An interlude concerning context: A relational theory of meaning; Intepreting metaphor; Some alternative approaches: A critique; Semantic field theory; Semantic fields and the structure of metaphor; concluding remarks: Reference and truth in metaphor; Bibliography; Index

Summary

The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive philosophical theory which explains the cognitive contribution of metaphor. The argument is illustrated with analysis of metaphors from literature, philosophy, science, and everyday language.

Additional text

'Kittay's book is scholarly and enlightening.'
Times Literary Supplement

Product details

• Authors: Eva Feder Kittay, Kittay Eva Feder
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 25.01.1990
• EAN: 9780198242468
• ISBN: 978-0-19-824246-8
• Dimensions: 138 mm x 215 mm x 18 mm
• Weight: 394 g
• Series: Clarendon Library of Logic and Philosophy; Clarendon Library of Logic & P; Clarendon Library of Logic and Philosophy
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; Philosophy of Language, PHILOSOPHY / Language, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Semantics, Semantics, discourse analysis, stylistics, Semantics, discourse analysis, etc