Metonymy: Hidden Shortcuts in Language, Thought and Communication (Cambridge Studies in Cognitive Linguistics) - Softcover

Littlemore, Jeannette

Softcover

ISBN 10: 110845416X ISBN 13: 9781108454162

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2018

Synopsis

'Metonymy' is a type of figurative language used in everyday conversation, a form of shorthand that allows us to use our shared knowledge to communicate with fewer words than we would otherwise need. 'I'll pencil you in' and 'let me give you a hand' are both examples of metonymic language. Metonymy serves a wide range of communicative functions, such as textual cohesion, humour, irony, euphemism and hyperbole - all of which play a key role in the development of language and discourse communities. Using authentic data throughout, this book shows how metonymy operates, not just in language, but also in gesture, sign language, art, music, film and advertising. It explores the role of metonymy in cross-cultural communication, along with the challenges it presents to language learners and translators. Ideal for researchers and students in linguistics and literature, as well as teachers and general readers interested in the art of communication.

About this title

About the Author

Jeannette Littlemore is a Reader in Applied Linguistics and Head of the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics at the University of Birmingham.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 110845416X
• ISBN 13: 9781108454162
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240