The interpretation of metonymy by Japanese learners of English
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Jeannette Littlemore
Abstract
Figurative language can present both difficulties and opportunities in crosslinguistic and cross-cultural communication. Previous studies have focused on difficulties in metaphor comprehension faced by speakers of different languages, but metonymy comprehension is a relatively under-researched area. In this chapter, we describe a two-part study exploring metonymy comprehension by Japanese learners of English. In the first part of the study, ten Japanese learners of English were asked to explain the meanings of twenty expressions instantiating a range of metonymy types. Comprehension problems included: the missing of, or misuse of, contextual clues; positive and negative interference from Japanese; ‘underspecification’; and a tendency to interpret metonyms as if they were metaphors. The second part of the study focused on the functions performed by metonymy. Twenty-two Japanese learners of English were asked to interpret a set of twenty metonyms, each of which performed a particular function. Metonyms involving humour and irony appeared to be more difficult to understand than ones serving other functions, such as indirect reference and evaluation.
Abstract
Figurative language can present both difficulties and opportunities in crosslinguistic and cross-cultural communication. Previous studies have focused on difficulties in metaphor comprehension faced by speakers of different languages, but metonymy comprehension is a relatively under-researched area. In this chapter, we describe a two-part study exploring metonymy comprehension by Japanese learners of English. In the first part of the study, ten Japanese learners of English were asked to explain the meanings of twenty expressions instantiating a range of metonymy types. Comprehension problems included: the missing of, or misuse of, contextual clues; positive and negative interference from Japanese; ‘underspecification’; and a tendency to interpret metonyms as if they were metaphors. The second part of the study focused on the functions performed by metonymy. Twenty-two Japanese learners of English were asked to interpret a set of twenty metonyms, each of which performed a particular function. Metonyms involving humour and irony appeared to be more difficult to understand than ones serving other functions, such as indirect reference and evaluation.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Applying Cognitive Linguistics: Identifying some current research foci (figurative language in use, constructions and typology) 1
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I. Figurative language in use
- Overt and covert uses of metaphor in the academic mentoring in English of Spanish undergraduate students at five European universities 23
- The interpretation of metonymy by Japanese learners of English 51
- Methodological triangulation in the study of emotion: The case of 'anger' in three language groups 73
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II. Constructing meaning in language (L1 and L2 acquisition)
- On-line processing of verb-argument constructions: Visual recognition threshold and naming latency 103
- The role of force dynamics and intentionality in the reconstruction of L2 verb meanings: A Danish-Spanish bidirectional study 133
- Cross-linguistic influence in the interpretation of boundary-crossing events in L2 acquisition 157
-
III Typology
- Thinking for translating and intra-typological variation in satellite-framed languages 181
- Showing versus telling: Representing speech events in English and Spanish 205
- Subject index 229
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Applying Cognitive Linguistics: Identifying some current research foci (figurative language in use, constructions and typology) 1
-
I. Figurative language in use
- Overt and covert uses of metaphor in the academic mentoring in English of Spanish undergraduate students at five European universities 23
- The interpretation of metonymy by Japanese learners of English 51
- Methodological triangulation in the study of emotion: The case of 'anger' in three language groups 73
-
II. Constructing meaning in language (L1 and L2 acquisition)
- On-line processing of verb-argument constructions: Visual recognition threshold and naming latency 103
- The role of force dynamics and intentionality in the reconstruction of L2 verb meanings: A Danish-Spanish bidirectional study 133
- Cross-linguistic influence in the interpretation of boundary-crossing events in L2 acquisition 157
-
III Typology
- Thinking for translating and intra-typological variation in satellite-framed languages 181
- Showing versus telling: Representing speech events in English and Spanish 205
- Subject index 229
