The Semantics of Metaphor - Softcover

Levin, Samuel R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1421435756 ISBN 13: 9781421435756

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2020

Synopsis

Originally publihsed in 1977. This book presents a theory for the metaphoric construal of deviant sentences. The theory has two aspects. The first relates to metaphor considered as a productive process of language and describes the mechanisms that operate in its semantic interpretation.This part of the theory is presented in chapters III and IV. The second aspect bears on metaphor considered in the context of poetry and develops a conception of metaphoric truth. This part of the theory is presented in chapters VI and VII. The study is semantic in the sense of dealing with both meaning and truth as these properties pertain to metaphor. Of the remaining chapters, the first isolates certain problems of a pragmatic nature from the central semantic concern, chapter II follows with a survey of recent scholarship on the question of semantic deviance, and chapter V compares the theory expounded in chapters III and IV with three other accounts of metaphor.

About this title

About the Author

Samuel R. Levin was distinguished professor Emeritus of English and Linguistics at The City University of New York. He is the author of Metaphoric Worlds: Conceptions of a Romantic Nature and Shades Of Meaning: Reflections On The Use, Misuse, And Abuse Of English.

Edition details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1421435756
• ISBN 13: 9781421435756
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 178