Chapter 6. Synaesthetic metaphors are neither synaesthetic nor metaphorical
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Bodo Winter
Abstract
Speakers often use metaphor when talking about the contents of perception. For example, a word such as sweet can be used to talk metaphorically about sensory impressions that are not directly related to taste, as in so-called “synaesthetic metaphors” such as sweet fragrance and sweet melody. In this chapter, I present arguments against the synaesthetic and metaphorical nature of such expressions. First, a look at the neuropsychological literature reveals that the phenomenon commonly called “synaesthesia” bears little resemblance to the metaphors investigated by linguists. Moreover, in contrast to synaesthesia as a neuropsychological phenomenon, most “synaesthetic” metaphors involve mappings between highly similar and perceptually integrated sensory modalities, such as taste and smell. Finally, combinations of words that involve dissimilar sensory modalities, such as sweet melody, appear to perform largely evaluative functions. Thus, evaluation might be driving the use of these terms, more so than “synaesthetic” perception. I will then compare my analyses to the idea that many metaphors are grounded in primary metaphors and/or metonymies. All in all, this paper suggests that many and perhaps most “synaesthetic metaphors” are neither synaesthetic nor metaphorical. From a broader perspective, the case study of synaesthetic metaphors presented here fleshes out the way language and perception are related and how sensory content is encoded in the lexicon of human languages.
Abstract
Speakers often use metaphor when talking about the contents of perception. For example, a word such as sweet can be used to talk metaphorically about sensory impressions that are not directly related to taste, as in so-called “synaesthetic metaphors” such as sweet fragrance and sweet melody. In this chapter, I present arguments against the synaesthetic and metaphorical nature of such expressions. First, a look at the neuropsychological literature reveals that the phenomenon commonly called “synaesthesia” bears little resemblance to the metaphors investigated by linguists. Moreover, in contrast to synaesthesia as a neuropsychological phenomenon, most “synaesthetic” metaphors involve mappings between highly similar and perceptually integrated sensory modalities, such as taste and smell. Finally, combinations of words that involve dissimilar sensory modalities, such as sweet melody, appear to perform largely evaluative functions. Thus, evaluation might be driving the use of these terms, more so than “synaesthetic” perception. I will then compare my analyses to the idea that many metaphors are grounded in primary metaphors and/or metonymies. All in all, this paper suggests that many and perhaps most “synaesthetic metaphors” are neither synaesthetic nor metaphorical. From a broader perspective, the case study of synaesthetic metaphors presented here fleshes out the way language and perception are related and how sensory content is encoded in the lexicon of human languages.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Chapter 1. Perception metaphors 1
- Chapter 2. Words of sense 17
- Chapter 3. Perception metaphors in cognitive linguistics 43
- Chapter 4. Perception metaphor in English 65
- Chapter 5. Metaphors and perception in the lexicon 85
- Chapter 6. Synaesthetic metaphors are neither synaesthetic nor metaphorical 105
- Chapter 7. Sensory experiences, meaning and metaphor 127
- Chapter 8. Taste metaphors in Hieroglyphic Egyptian 145
- Chapter 9. Why do we understand music as moving? 165
- Chapter 10. Approaching perceptual qualities 185
- Chapter 11. Grounding mental metaphors in touch 209
- Chapter 12. Polysemy of the Estonian perception verb nägema ‘to see’ 231
- Chapter 13. Evidential vindication in next turn 253
- Chapter 14. Sensory perception metaphors in sign languages 275
- Chapter 15. Metaphors of perception in Japanese Sign Language 303
- Chapter 16. Perception and metaphor 327
- Chapter 17. Perception verbs in context 347
- List of metaphors 369
- Index 373
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Chapter 1. Perception metaphors 1
- Chapter 2. Words of sense 17
- Chapter 3. Perception metaphors in cognitive linguistics 43
- Chapter 4. Perception metaphor in English 65
- Chapter 5. Metaphors and perception in the lexicon 85
- Chapter 6. Synaesthetic metaphors are neither synaesthetic nor metaphorical 105
- Chapter 7. Sensory experiences, meaning and metaphor 127
- Chapter 8. Taste metaphors in Hieroglyphic Egyptian 145
- Chapter 9. Why do we understand music as moving? 165
- Chapter 10. Approaching perceptual qualities 185
- Chapter 11. Grounding mental metaphors in touch 209
- Chapter 12. Polysemy of the Estonian perception verb nägema ‘to see’ 231
- Chapter 13. Evidential vindication in next turn 253
- Chapter 14. Sensory perception metaphors in sign languages 275
- Chapter 15. Metaphors of perception in Japanese Sign Language 303
- Chapter 16. Perception and metaphor 327
- Chapter 17. Perception verbs in context 347
- List of metaphors 369
- Index 373
