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Cross-modal resonances in creative multimodal metaphors

Breaking out of conceptual prisons

Abstract

This article uses examples of multimodal metaphors from three different genres in order to develop a new understanding of the nature of creativity in metaphor. I argue that multimodality provides distinctive opportunities for metaphor creativity by exploiting the unique affordances of the different semiotic modes and the possibility of combining them in unexpected ways. Such innovation at the level of representation may encourage novel thought patterns, I suggest, even in such cases where the underlying metaphorical mappings are relatively conventional. The notion of “cross-modal resonances” is introduced to emphasize the role of unconscious, preverbal, intuitive understanding and the emotions in producing and interpreting creative multimodal metaphors.

Abstract

This article uses examples of multimodal metaphors from three different genres in order to develop a new understanding of the nature of creativity in metaphor. I argue that multimodality provides distinctive opportunities for metaphor creativity by exploiting the unique affordances of the different semiotic modes and the possibility of combining them in unexpected ways. Such innovation at the level of representation may encourage novel thought patterns, I suggest, even in such cases where the underlying metaphorical mappings are relatively conventional. The notion of “cross-modal resonances” is introduced to emphasize the role of unconscious, preverbal, intuitive understanding and the emotions in producing and interpreting creative multimodal metaphors.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. About the contributors vii
  4. Multimodality and Cognitive Linguistics 1
  5. Cognitive Linguistics and multimodal metaphor
  6. Cross-modal resonances in creative multimodal metaphors 13
  7. Metaphor and symbol 27
  8. Woven emotions 45
  9. Approaching the utopia of a global brand 61
  10. Multimodal metaphors in political entertainment 79
  11. Multimodality, Cognitive and Systemic Functional Linguistics
  12. The visual representation of metaphor 99
  13. Visual metonymy in children’s picture books 115
  14. The establishment of interpretative expectations in film 131
  15. Multimodal digital storytelling 147
  16. Cognitive Linguistics and multimodal interaction
  17. Intermedial cognitive semiotics 167
  18. Multimodality in Conversational Humor 181
  19. Image schemas and mimetic schemas in cognitive linguistics and gesture studies 195
  20. Index 211
Multimodality and Cognitive Linguistics
This chapter is in the book Multimodality and Cognitive Linguistics
https://doi.org/10.1075/bct.78.02elr

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. About the contributors vii
  4. Multimodality and Cognitive Linguistics 1
  5. Cognitive Linguistics and multimodal metaphor
  6. Cross-modal resonances in creative multimodal metaphors 13
  7. Metaphor and symbol 27
  8. Woven emotions 45
  9. Approaching the utopia of a global brand 61
  10. Multimodal metaphors in political entertainment 79
  11. Multimodality, Cognitive and Systemic Functional Linguistics
  12. The visual representation of metaphor 99
  13. Visual metonymy in children’s picture books 115
  14. The establishment of interpretative expectations in film 131
  15. Multimodal digital storytelling 147
  16. Cognitive Linguistics and multimodal interaction
  17. Intermedial cognitive semiotics 167
  18. Multimodality in Conversational Humor 181
  19. Image schemas and mimetic schemas in cognitive linguistics and gesture studies 195
  20. Index 211
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