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Show Notes
Metaphors We Live By (George Lakoff)
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- Read more: https://mybook.top/read/B009KA3Y6I/
#cognitivelinguistics #metaphortheory #embodiedcognition #conceptualmetaphor #linguisticphilosophy #communicationstudies #languageandculture #MetaphorsWeLiveBy
These are takeaways from this book.
Firstly, Metaphoric Structures and Cognitive Systems, One of the central theses in Metaphors We Live By is that metaphors are much more than just stylistic language tools; they comprise the structural underpinning of our cognition. Lakoff illustrates how concepts within our cognitive system exist interconnectedly, shaped profoundly by metaphorical structures. These structures allow humans to conceptualize abstract experiences through clarity gained from concrete, physical experiences. As examples, Lakoff points out metaphors like time is money, where abstract notions of time are understood within the concrete experiences of economic value. This metaphorical structuring affects how people perceive and deal with time, leading to notions of saving time, spending time, and wasting time. Through extensive examples and analyses, Lakoff dissects how metaphors form cognitive maps that govern thought processes, allowing humans to interpret complexities consistently and coherently.
Secondly, The Experiential Basis of Metaphors, Lakoff emphasizes the connection between metaphors and bodily experiences, highlighting an experiential basis fundamental to understanding metaphorical reasoning. Our physical interaction with the environment becomes encoded cognitively, transforming sensations into metaphorical conceptualizations. For instance, the authors point to metaphoric phrases like feeling down or lifted spirits directly connecting physical positions (down, up) with emotional states. This link to bodily experiences provides a universal grounding that influences cognitive and linguistic expressions across diverse cultures. Lakoff underscores that perceived physical world regularities eventually form foundational metaphorical schemas used to understand more abstract experiences. This bodily rootedness demonstrates metaphors’ natural grounding in human biology and experience.
Thirdly, Metaphor as Cultural Constructs, Beyond personal experiential bases, Lakoff and Johnson illustrate metaphor’s role in shaping cultural understanding and shared meaning. Metaphor, in their view, transcends individual and experiential cognition, extending into the realm of cultural consensus and societal framework. Cultural metaphors provide shared understanding and facilitate communal communication. As such, culture propagates various metaphorical views embodied collectively over generations—these include notions like argument as war (to win an argument, to attack positions) dominating certain cultural perspectives. Such metaphoric frameworks represent collective mindsets and dictate societal values, behaviors, and interactions. Lakoff thus posits metaphors as critical tools for analyzing culture, revealing cultural assumptions deeply embedded within metaphorical language and thought.
Fourthly, Implications in Linguistics and Philosophy, Lakoff and Johnson's analysis significantly impacted various academic fields, setting forth new implications in linguistic and philosophical inquiry. In linguistics, their arguments challenge traditional linguistic theories founded heavily on literal meanings and suggest an embodied view of semantics where meanings emerge directly from bodily experiences and metaphorical conceptualizations. Philosophically, their work questions long-standing objectivist ideas of truth and meaning, stating that truth itself is metaphorically shaped and culturally situated rather than universally objective. By exploring metaphor's foundational cognitive presence, the authors revolutionize dominant theoretical perspectives in linguistics and philosophy, leading to new subfields such as cognitive semantics and embodied philosophy.
Lastly, Metaphors and Real-world Communication, Metaphors We Live By elucidates the tangible implications of metaphor comprehension in real-world communication contexts, such as politics, education, healthcare, and interpersonal communication. Effective communication often requires appropriately navigating shared metaphorical frameworks enabling understanding and empathy. Conversely, misunderstanding or miscommunication arises when metaphoric frameworks vary significantly between communicators. The book illustrates how effective or manipulative use of metaphors by communicators shapes real-world perceptions, relationships, and decisions. For example, political leaders frequently utilize metaphorical language (war against poverty, economic recovery) to shape constituents' conceptualizations, profoundly influencing public opinions, emotions, and responses. Consequently, understanding and critically assessing metaphors becomes essential, allowing improved practical communication across varied contexts.
- Amazon USA Store: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009KA3Y6I?tag=9natree-20
- Amazon Worldwide Store: https://global.buys.trade/Metaphors-We-Live-By-George-Lakoff.html
- eBay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Metaphors+We+Live+By+George+Lakoff+&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5339060787&customid=9natree&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
- Read more: https://mybook.top/read/B009KA3Y6I/
#cognitivelinguistics #metaphortheory #embodiedcognition #conceptualmetaphor #linguisticphilosophy #communicationstudies #languageandculture #MetaphorsWeLiveBy
These are takeaways from this book.
Firstly, Metaphoric Structures and Cognitive Systems, One of the central theses in Metaphors We Live By is that metaphors are much more than just stylistic language tools; they comprise the structural underpinning of our cognition. Lakoff illustrates how concepts within our cognitive system exist interconnectedly, shaped profoundly by metaphorical structures. These structures allow humans to conceptualize abstract experiences through clarity gained from concrete, physical experiences. As examples, Lakoff points out metaphors like time is money, where abstract notions of time are understood within the concrete experiences of economic value. This metaphorical structuring affects how people perceive and deal with time, leading to notions of saving time, spending time, and wasting time. Through extensive examples and analyses, Lakoff dissects how metaphors form cognitive maps that govern thought processes, allowing humans to interpret complexities consistently and coherently.
Secondly, The Experiential Basis of Metaphors, Lakoff emphasizes the connection between metaphors and bodily experiences, highlighting an experiential basis fundamental to understanding metaphorical reasoning. Our physical interaction with the environment becomes encoded cognitively, transforming sensations into metaphorical conceptualizations. For instance, the authors point to metaphoric phrases like feeling down or lifted spirits directly connecting physical positions (down, up) with emotional states. This link to bodily experiences provides a universal grounding that influences cognitive and linguistic expressions across diverse cultures. Lakoff underscores that perceived physical world regularities eventually form foundational metaphorical schemas used to understand more abstract experiences. This bodily rootedness demonstrates metaphors’ natural grounding in human biology and experience.
Thirdly, Metaphor as Cultural Constructs, Beyond personal experiential bases, Lakoff and Johnson illustrate metaphor’s role in shaping cultural understanding and shared meaning. Metaphor, in their view, transcends individual and experiential cognition, extending into the realm of cultural consensus and societal framework. Cultural metaphors provide shared understanding and facilitate communal communication. As such, culture propagates various metaphorical views embodied collectively over generations—these include notions like argument as war (to win an argument, to attack positions) dominating certain cultural perspectives. Such metaphoric frameworks represent collective mindsets and dictate societal values, behaviors, and interactions. Lakoff thus posits metaphors as critical tools for analyzing culture, revealing cultural assumptions deeply embedded within metaphorical language and thought.
Fourthly, Implications in Linguistics and Philosophy, Lakoff and Johnson's analysis significantly impacted various academic fields, setting forth new implications in linguistic and philosophical inquiry. In linguistics, their arguments challenge traditional linguistic theories founded heavily on literal meanings and suggest an embodied view of semantics where meanings emerge directly from bodily experiences and metaphorical conceptualizations. Philosophically, their work questions long-standing objectivist ideas of truth and meaning, stating that truth itself is metaphorically shaped and culturally situated rather than universally objective. By exploring metaphor's foundational cognitive presence, the authors revolutionize dominant theoretical perspectives in linguistics and philosophy, leading to new subfields such as cognitive semantics and embodied philosophy.
Lastly, Metaphors and Real-world Communication, Metaphors We Live By elucidates the tangible implications of metaphor comprehension in real-world communication contexts, such as politics, education, healthcare, and interpersonal communication. Effective communication often requires appropriately navigating shared metaphorical frameworks enabling understanding and empathy. Conversely, misunderstanding or miscommunication arises when metaphoric frameworks vary significantly between communicators. The book illustrates how effective or manipulative use of metaphors by communicators shapes real-world perceptions, relationships, and decisions. For example, political leaders frequently utilize metaphorical language (war against poverty, economic recovery) to shape constituents' conceptualizations, profoundly influencing public opinions, emotions, and responses. Consequently, understanding and critically assessing metaphors becomes essential, allowing improved practical communication across varied contexts.
