Metaphors for Learning: Cross-cultural Perspectives(22 Human Cognitive Processing)

In Contemporary Metaphor Theory (CMT) research has predominantly focused on the English language with few studies of others and even less systematic comparative work. This volume focuses on the discourse domain of LEARNING (formal, technical and informal aspects) and brings together a variety of language perspectives, some specifically comparative, on aspects of learning from historical transformations in metaphoric language use through contemporary social values and classroom discourse to planning for the future in educational policy to see how conceptual metaphoric patterns and conventional metaphors with related figurative language impact on social values and culturally conditioned perspectives in learning. Most papers reflect Lakoffian conceptual metaphoric research including critical evaluation of analytical issues. Languages included are Arabic, Chinese, English, Hungarian, Japanese, Malay, Polish, Russian and the South African language area. Most papers utilize extensive data including such genre as technical writing, essays, conversational interaction, newspaper corpus and proverbs.

Table of Contents:
1. List of contributors; 2. Introduction (by Berendt, Erich A.); 3. Part I. Historical transformations in metaphoric conceptualization; 4. In the balance: Weighing up conceptual culture (by Turner, Joan); 5. The tradition and transformation of metaphor in Japanese (by Yamanaka, Keiiti); 6. Part II. Socio-cultural values and metaphoric conceptualization; 7. Tao of learning: Metaphors Japanese students live by (by Hiraga, Masako K.); 8. Intersections and diverging paths: Conceptual patterns on learning in English and Japanese (by Berendt, Erich A.); 9. Cultural messages of metaphors (by Hidasi, Judit); 10. The many facets of teaching and learning in Malay (by Ho-Abdullah, Imran); 11. The "native speaker" as a metaphorical construct (by Radwanska-Williams, Joanna); 12. Part III. Metaphors and the classroom; 13. Metaphor in the construction of a learning environment (by Cameron, Lynne); 14. Images of teachers, learning and questioning in Chinese cultures of learning (by Jin, Lixian); 15. Part IV. Metaphors in language planning; 16. Metaphors of learning and knowledge in the Tunisian context: A case of re-categorization (by Maalej, Zouheir A.); 17. Metaphors of transformation: The new language of education in South Africa (by Finlayson, Rosalie); 18. Index