Home Linguistics & Semiotics Chapter 15. Metaphors of perception in Japanese Sign Language
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Chapter 15. Metaphors of perception in Japanese Sign Language

  • Yufuko Takashima
View more publications by John Benjamins Publishing Company
Search
Perception Metaphors
This chapter is in the book Perception Metaphors

Abstract

Perception metaphors have been examined by analysing the polysemy of perception verbs in spoken languages. This chapter explores instantiations of metaphors of perception in Japanese Sign Language (JSL). Here I propose that the locations of articulation of signs be considered meaningful units and analyse signs articulated on or near to the signer’s eyes, ears, and nose in JSL. There are some potentially polysemous signs that illustrate meaning extensions from vision to intellection, where signs articulated on the perceptual organs are understood through metaphor. These conceptual metaphors in JSL are compared to the polysemy of perception expressions in the dominant spoken language, Japanese.

Abstract

Perception metaphors have been examined by analysing the polysemy of perception verbs in spoken languages. This chapter explores instantiations of metaphors of perception in Japanese Sign Language (JSL). Here I propose that the locations of articulation of signs be considered meaningful units and analyse signs articulated on or near to the signer’s eyes, ears, and nose in JSL. There are some potentially polysemous signs that illustrate meaning extensions from vision to intellection, where signs articulated on the perceptual organs are understood through metaphor. These conceptual metaphors in JSL are compared to the polysemy of perception expressions in the dominant spoken language, Japanese.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. Chapter 1. Perception metaphors 1
  5. Chapter 2. Words of sense 17
  6. Chapter 3. Perception metaphors in cognitive linguistics 43
  7. Chapter 4. Perception metaphor in English 65
  8. Chapter 5. Metaphors and perception in the lexicon 85
  9. Chapter 6. Synaesthetic metaphors are neither synaesthetic nor metaphorical 105
  10. Chapter 7. Sensory experiences, meaning and metaphor 127
  11. Chapter 8. Taste metaphors in Hieroglyphic Egyptian 145
  12. Chapter 9. Why do we understand music as moving? 165
  13. Chapter 10. Approaching perceptual qualities 185
  14. Chapter 11. Grounding mental metaphors in touch 209
  15. Chapter 12. Polysemy of the Estonian perception verb nägema ‘to see’ 231
  16. Chapter 13. Evidential vindication in next turn 253
  17. Chapter 14. Sensory perception metaphors in sign languages 275
  18. Chapter 15. Metaphors of perception in Japanese Sign Language 303
  19. Chapter 16. Perception and metaphor 327
  20. Chapter 17. Perception verbs in context 347
  21. List of metaphors 369
  22. Index 373
https://doi.org/10.1075/celcr.19.15tak

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. Chapter 1. Perception metaphors 1
  5. Chapter 2. Words of sense 17
  6. Chapter 3. Perception metaphors in cognitive linguistics 43
  7. Chapter 4. Perception metaphor in English 65
  8. Chapter 5. Metaphors and perception in the lexicon 85
  9. Chapter 6. Synaesthetic metaphors are neither synaesthetic nor metaphorical 105
  10. Chapter 7. Sensory experiences, meaning and metaphor 127
  11. Chapter 8. Taste metaphors in Hieroglyphic Egyptian 145
  12. Chapter 9. Why do we understand music as moving? 165
  13. Chapter 10. Approaching perceptual qualities 185
  14. Chapter 11. Grounding mental metaphors in touch 209
  15. Chapter 12. Polysemy of the Estonian perception verb nägema ‘to see’ 231
  16. Chapter 13. Evidential vindication in next turn 253
  17. Chapter 14. Sensory perception metaphors in sign languages 275
  18. Chapter 15. Metaphors of perception in Japanese Sign Language 303
  19. Chapter 16. Perception and metaphor 327
  20. Chapter 17. Perception verbs in context 347
  21. List of metaphors 369
  22. Index 373
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 17.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1075/celcr.19.15tak/html
Scroll to top button