Metaphor has been shown to display a great degree of variation in terms of types, functions and characteristics depending on contextual and discursive factors. This paper carries out a corpus-based comparison of SPACE metaphors in specialised communication and popular science texts on breast cancer in Spanish. The aim is to explore the interaction of contextual and metaphor-inherent factors in bringing about variations in metaphor use. Results point to a complex interaction of both factors, with specific source and target domains proving especially productive in each type of discourse. In particular, popular science texts display a greater variety of metaphorical expressions built around the target-domain lemma célula [cell], which help visualise the disease at the microscopic level by representing cells as humans or animals endowed with intentionality and agency. In specialised discourse, the medically relevant target domains of TREATMENT and PATIENT prove more productive, leading to terminological metaphors that characterise the disease based on its location/extension.
Discourse-motivated variation in metaphor use in Spanish: The case of SPACE metaphors in popularised scientific discourse on breast cancer
piccioni, s.Primo
2023-01-01
Abstract
Metaphor has been shown to display a great degree of variation in terms of types, functions and characteristics depending on contextual and discursive factors. This paper carries out a corpus-based comparison of SPACE metaphors in specialised communication and popular science texts on breast cancer in Spanish. The aim is to explore the interaction of contextual and metaphor-inherent factors in bringing about variations in metaphor use. Results point to a complex interaction of both factors, with specific source and target domains proving especially productive in each type of discourse. In particular, popular science texts display a greater variety of metaphorical expressions built around the target-domain lemma célula [cell], which help visualise the disease at the microscopic level by representing cells as humans or animals endowed with intentionality and agency. In specialised discourse, the medically relevant target domains of TREATMENT and PATIENT prove more productive, leading to terminological metaphors that characterise the disease based on its location/extension.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
