Metaphorical language
Encyclopedia
Metaphorical language is the use of a complex system of metaphor
s to create a sub-language within a common language which provides the basic terms (verb
s, prepositions, conjunctions
) to express metaphors.
People who over-expose themselves to environments atypical from their usual habits tend to develop understanding of new words and apply new meanings to existing words. Such sources could include: absorbing a native language spoken in a different dialects or countries, a language other than their own and fictional language from books, music, films and videogames.
People who are classified with Autistic Spectrum Disorder tend to communicate metaphorically rather than with common phrases. It is currently not known why they can do this, although they also express other abnormalities from level 1 and 2 psychedelic experiences.
or medieval RomanCatholic "common places
" or modern biblespeak) wherein fluency in a religious text is often a prerequisite to participating fully in a conversation. Not just conceptual metaphor
s (part of every language) that express belief in analogy between generic concepts, but extremely specific metaphors involving proper name
s or use of concrete nouns to express generics or processes.
The Tao te ching
is considered by many to be almost entirely metaphorical. For example, change is usually expressed with the “water” character, not the “change” character.
To the outsider, such terms in such combinations will likely seem esoteric or otherwise unintelligible. Only by learning the underlying patterns of events that are considered important in the religion or ethical or political system, would one be able to comprehend what was said. The religious text thus acts as a code book. Since many religious authorities believe in the self-evident truth of their doctrine
s, a mere exposure to the truth
in the book would tend to convert outsiders trying to learn the language. However, use of such language is not confined to religious groups.
Use of metaphorical language was historically common among secret society
devotees, for instance the Chinese Tong
s that resisted Imperial rulers, and even some modern troll organizations.
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
s to create a sub-language within a common language which provides the basic terms (verb
Verb
A verb, from the Latin verbum meaning word, is a word that in syntax conveys an action , or a state of being . In the usual description of English, the basic form, with or without the particle to, is the infinitive...
s, prepositions, conjunctions
Grammatical conjunction
In grammar, a conjunction is a part of speech that connects two words, sentences, phrases or clauses together. A discourse connective is a conjunction joining sentences. This definition may overlap with that of other parts of speech, so what constitutes a "conjunction" must be defined for each...
) to express metaphors.
People who over-expose themselves to environments atypical from their usual habits tend to develop understanding of new words and apply new meanings to existing words. Such sources could include: absorbing a native language spoken in a different dialects or countries, a language other than their own and fictional language from books, music, films and videogames.
People who are classified with Autistic Spectrum Disorder tend to communicate metaphorically rather than with common phrases. It is currently not known why they can do this, although they also express other abnormalities from level 1 and 2 psychedelic experiences.
History
Metaphorical language is a common feature of religious discussion, (for example midrashMidrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
or medieval RomanCatholic "common places
Common Places
Common Places is an Argentine and Spanish drama film co-written, co-produced and directed by Adolfo Aristarain. The film marks the seventh collaboration between Aristarain and actor Federico Luppi...
" or modern biblespeak) wherein fluency in a religious text is often a prerequisite to participating fully in a conversation. Not just conceptual metaphor
Conceptual metaphor
In cognitive linguistics, conceptual metaphor, or cognitive metaphor, refers to the understanding of one idea, or conceptual domain, in terms of another, for example, understanding quantity in terms of directionality . A conceptual domain can be any coherent organization of human experience...
s (part of every language) that express belief in analogy between generic concepts, but extremely specific metaphors involving proper name
Proper name
"A proper name [is] a word that answers the purpose of showing what thing it is that we are talking about" writes John Stuart Mill in A System of Logic , "but not of telling anything about it"...
s or use of concrete nouns to express generics or processes.
The Tao te ching
Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching, Dao De Jing, or Daodejing , also simply referred to as the Laozi, whose authorship has been attributed to Laozi, is a Chinese classic text...
is considered by many to be almost entirely metaphorical. For example, change is usually expressed with the “water” character, not the “change” character.
To the outsider, such terms in such combinations will likely seem esoteric or otherwise unintelligible. Only by learning the underlying patterns of events that are considered important in the religion or ethical or political system, would one be able to comprehend what was said. The religious text thus acts as a code book. Since many religious authorities believe in the self-evident truth of their doctrine
Doctrine
Doctrine is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system...
s, a mere exposure to the truth
Truth
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
in the book would tend to convert outsiders trying to learn the language. However, use of such language is not confined to religious groups.
Use of metaphorical language was historically common among secret society
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
devotees, for instance the Chinese Tong
Tong
-Chinese:*Tang Dynasty, a dynasty in Chinese history when transliterated from Cantonese*Tong , a type of social organization found in Chinese immigrant communities*tong, pronunciation of several Chinese characters*See:...
s that resisted Imperial rulers, and even some modern troll organizations.
Popular culture
- Ascian languageAscian languageThe Ascian Language is a fictional language invented by Gene Wolfe for his fantasy series The Book of the New Sun.The language is spoken by the inhabitants of the “northern continents” of the future earth, the Ascians, who are enslaved by their masters in a way much like the people of Oceania in...
from The Book of the New SunThe Book of the New SunThe Book of the New Sun is a novel in four parts written by science fiction and fantasy author Gene Wolfe. It chronicles the journey and ascent to power of Severian, a disgraced journeyman torturer who rises to the position of Autarch, the one ruler of the free world... - "Darmok" - Star Trek: The Next Generation episode
- GithzeraiGithzeraiThe githzerai are a fictional race of creatures in the roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons.Githzerai are extraplanar humanoid creatures that reside on the Plane of Limbo.-Publication history:...
from the Dungeons & Dragons PlanescapePlanescapePlanescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign - KoalangKoalangKoalang is a term invented by Janusz A. Zajdel, Polish science fiction writer. It was the language used by people in a totalitarian world called Paradyzja...
from ParadyzjaParadyzjaParadyzja is a 1984 science fiction novel by Janusz A. Zajdel.It is a dystopian novel similar to George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. The space colonies are more or less federated with the Earth. Human rights are observed and respected everywhere, but Paradise has not been verified for sure...
(in a 1984 book by Janusz A. Zajdel)
External links
- Tao Te Ching Translation in three parts: Chinese, direct to metaphorical language in English, then from English (metaphorical) to English (common meaning)
- Chan Metaphors Metaphorical sutras in BuddhismBuddhismBuddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
- 99 Names of God - An example of Metaphorical language