engleski

On the life cycle of metaphors: The case of the conductor metaphor in medical discourse

In this article I examine the dynamic character of metaphor variation by detailing the life-cycle of a specific metaphor by means of which the pituitary is conceptualized as the conductor of an orchestra. It alternates with a structurally less rich metaphor which conceptualizes the pituitary as a part of an axis. The two metaphors are in a sort of complementary distribution along two dimensions: across time, i.e. diachronically, as well as across the social dimension. What is more, their distribution apparently challenges the established wisdom about the unidirectional process of the conventionalization of metaphors. The conductor metaphor, being replaced by the axis metaphor in the scientific medical discourse, now seems to be fairly stable in non-scientific medical discourse (i.e. in the communication between health practitioners and patients, or between patients). However, an interesting twist can be observed, the conductor metaphor recently making an unexpected comeback into the scientific discourse.

conceptual metaphor ; medical discourse ; metaphor variation ; metaphor conventionalization ; metaphor life-cycle

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