It's difficult to clearly answer to this question...
What are we talking about ? Metaphor ? Irony ? Metonymy...?
This question is very important, because different figure of speech could imply different processing. For example, Irony could involve theory of mind processing which have specific neural basis. We could also deal with metaphor which involve more semantic processing and new meaning creation.
Some researchers studied the hemispheric implication in the figurative language processing. Is there a predominance of the left hemisphere (traditionally considered as the basis of language processing) or is there a implication of the right hemisphere ? (see Jung-Beemman or Giora).
I believe we couldn't say that this cerebral structure is clearly and uniquely implied in figurative language processing. I prefer to say 'this one is implied in such aspect of the figurative language processing". It can be the semantic violation detection, the creation of new meaning, the identification of the speaker's intentions, etc...
thanks for your useful answer.
what a about the proverbs? I have not seen many research on proverb processing. is it excluded from the other figures of speech? or the other factors are involved?I have been searching for a paper or some serious works in this field but the more i search the less is found. if you have any information about this topic please inform me.thank you
You're right, proverbs could be considered as figurative language. However they are particular because their meanings are "frozen" and well known. Maybe you could search studies dealing with idiom ?
what about language derived meanings from the letters themselves ,the interpretation as it were from the symbols themselves.An example that comes to mind is one with the word t-shirt and how it seems to portray the idea of a wearer being a sacrifice due to the symbolism the letter t or T seems to exude? Also G and g as a symbol invoking divinity.Of course its possible the concept is mine alone.Any thoughts?
There are studies on idiom processing showing that the anterior temporal lobe and the prefrontal cortex are specifically involved when reading or listening to idiomatic sentences. We further showed that the premotor cortex is activated when reading idioms including action verbs such as "grasp the idea, jump to conclusions etc". But much work is still needed to study figurative language!
Hi, Fateme.
What do you seem if you search for cognitive linguistics about your topic?
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Psychology