Metaphor in specialist discourse
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Jeannette Littlemore
Abstract
The present chapter attempts to draw together some of the main ideas that have been developed in the volume. It focuses on the ways in which metaphor use has been found to vary across the different types of specialist discourse, and relates this to: disciplines, intended audience, positioning on the scientificpopular continuum, mode of delivery (written, spoken, textual or multimodal), immediacy of the communication, and relationship between interlocutors. The chapter relates these findings to current issues and controversies in the metaphor literature, discusses the need for more informant data, and suggests ways in which the impact of metaphor on its intended audiences might be studied. In all of these areas, proposals for further study are made.
Abstract
The present chapter attempts to draw together some of the main ideas that have been developed in the volume. It focuses on the ways in which metaphor use has been found to vary across the different types of specialist discourse, and relates this to: disciplines, intended audience, positioning on the scientificpopular continuum, mode of delivery (written, spoken, textual or multimodal), immediacy of the communication, and relationship between interlocutors. The chapter relates these findings to current issues and controversies in the metaphor literature, discusses the need for more informant data, and suggests ways in which the impact of metaphor on its intended audiences might be studied. In all of these areas, proposals for further study are made.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Preface xi
-
Introduction
- Metaphor in specialist discourse 3
-
Metaphor Variation in Specialist Discourse
- Register variation and metaphor use 17
- Metaphors in psychology genres 53
-
Metaphor in Specific Contexts
- Payback and punishment 79
- They have to die for the goals 101
- The production line as a context for low metaphoricity 131
-
Metaphor in Science Writing
- High on metaphor, low on simile? An examination of metaphor type in sub-registers of academic prose 163
- A mere metaphor? Framings of the concept of metaphor in biological specialist communication 191
- Dynamical systems metaphors 215
-
Metaphor and Popularization
- Metaphor, news discourse and knowledge 245
- Metaphor as tools of enrolment in the policy process 271
-
Conclusion
- Metaphor in specialist discourse 299
- Index 315
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Preface xi
-
Introduction
- Metaphor in specialist discourse 3
-
Metaphor Variation in Specialist Discourse
- Register variation and metaphor use 17
- Metaphors in psychology genres 53
-
Metaphor in Specific Contexts
- Payback and punishment 79
- They have to die for the goals 101
- The production line as a context for low metaphoricity 131
-
Metaphor in Science Writing
- High on metaphor, low on simile? An examination of metaphor type in sub-registers of academic prose 163
- A mere metaphor? Framings of the concept of metaphor in biological specialist communication 191
- Dynamical systems metaphors 215
-
Metaphor and Popularization
- Metaphor, news discourse and knowledge 245
- Metaphor as tools of enrolment in the policy process 271
-
Conclusion
- Metaphor in specialist discourse 299
- Index 315
