Metaphorical Stories in Discourse

This book defines and explains, in straightforward language, metaphorical stories using examples from sources such as conversations, speeches, and editorial cartoons.

L. David Ritchie (Author)

9781107168305, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 September 2017

282 pages, 12 b/w illus. 7 tables
23.5 x 15.7 x 2 cm, 0.53 kg

When Hillary Clinton conceded in 2008 that she didn't quite 'shatter the glass ceiling', and when Rick Perry in 2012 called Mitt Romney a 'vulture capitalist', they used abbreviated metaphorical stories, in which stories about one topic are presented as stories about something entirely different. This book examines a wide range of metaphorical stories, beginning with literary genres such as allegories and fables, then focusing on metaphorical stories in ordinary conversations, political speeches, editorial cartoons, and other communication. Sometimes metaphorical stories are developed in rich detail; in other examples, like 'vulture capitalist', they may merely be referenced or implied. This book argues that close attention to metaphorical stories and story metaphors enriches our understanding and is essential to any theory of communication. The book introduces a theoretical structure, which is developed into a theory of metaphorical stories and then illustrates the theory by applying it to actual discourse.

1. Introduction
2. Understanding metaphors: substitution and property attribution theories
3. Understanding metaphors: theories based on semantic relationships
4. Conceptual metaphors
5. Perceptual simulation
6. Metaphors and framing effects
7. Language play: metaphors, stories, and humor
8. Conversation
9. Metaphors in politics
10. Metaphors in literature
11. Closing reflections.

Subject Areas: Communication studies [GTC], Grammar, syntax & morphology [CFK], Semantics, discourse analysis, etc [CFG], Linguistics [CF]