The point of similarity ‘ may be hysterical but often it is chosen for its connotations’ (Newark, 1 988, p. 85). Newark (1988) discusses a number of functions of metaphor: to define something more closely; a decoration to show resemblances; to create emotive effect; as an object of interest for media; and lastly as a ‘ basic element of language where it later becomes dead or literal language’. For him, translation theory is mainly concerned with the serious purpose of metaphor which is, “ to describe an entity, event or quality more comprehensively and concisely and in a more complex way than is possible by using literal engage” (p. 4). There are five terms related to metaphor, which define its various related concepts.
Firstly, ‘ object’ is ‘ the item described by the metaphor’. Secondly, ‘ image’ is the item ‘ in terms of which the object is described’. Thirdly, ‘ sense’ is ‘ the point of similarity’ between object and image. Fourthly, ‘ metaphor’ is the actual word taken up. Lastly, the ‘ metonymy’ is a one word image which is used in place of whole, and has potential to become ‘ dead metaphor’ (literal language) e.
G. ‘ fin’ of a motor bike. (p.
85) 2. TYPES OF METAPHOR Newark (1 Bibb) provides a classification consisting of six types, which are discussed below with appropriate examples and sub-types. 2. 1 Dead Metaphors: They are “ metaphors which often relate to universal terms of time and space, general ecological features and main human activities” (p. 106).
Dead metaphors have become literal language because users do not recognize them as metaphors, so their images are lost. Idioms, metonymy, synecdoche, and words accepted as technical terms also become dead metaphors. They add to the number of words in a language. Dead metaphors an be of three types: firstly where image and sense is retained in a second language; secondly thousands of words denoting objects e. G. metonymy; and lastly non-technical words which appear to have concrete and figurative meaning at the same time e.
G. ‘ foot of a hill’. 2.
2 Click: They lie between dead and stock metaphors. These metaphors are “ used as a substitute for clear thought, often emotively, but without corresponding to the facts of the matter” (Bibb, p. 107). They “ usually consist of two types of collocations: figurative adjective and literal noun e. G. Filthy lucre’; or figurative verb and figurative noun e.
G. ‘ explore all avenues’” (1988, p. 87). 2. 3 Stock Metaphors: Newark (1 Bibb, p. 1 08) defines this type as “ an established metaphor, which in an informal context is an efficient and concise method of covering a physical and/or mental situation both referentially and pragmatically”.
They may have cultural distance or overlap; may be used universally or at least in a wide spread sense, and may have subjective aspects.