The 'handles' and 'sides' of metaphor

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Semiotica

Publication Date

12-2007

Volume

167

First Page

119

Last Page

134

Publisher

De Gruyter Mouton

Abstract

This article explores from a semiotic perspective the structural features of the 'poetic logic' that lies behind metonymy and metaphor. More specifically, it treats metonymy and metaphor not as 'abnormal' uses of language but as the results of the same indexical and iconic ways of thinking that we see elsewhere in our lives. The paper also brings to bear on the topic of metaphor some important insights from the late Chinese scholar Qian Zhong-shu, whose 'two handles and several sides' theory of metaphor seems to complement contemporary Western 'metaphorology' very well.

DOI

10.1515/SEM.2007.073

Print ISSN

00371998

Publisher Statement

Copyright © Walter de Gruyter.

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Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

DING, E. (2007). The 'handles' and 'sides' of metaphor. Semiotica, 167, 119-134.

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