Metonymies and Metaphors for Death Around the World

This book explores how metonymy and metaphor are used to mitigate the difficult aspects of death and dying, offering a unique line of research within Conceptual Metaphor Theory. It argues that metonymic and metaphoric descriptions of death reflect taboos, concealment, and other considerations not found in figurative descriptions of life, producing distinct forms of euphemism, frames, and mental spaces.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 171 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate ways in which metonymy and metaphor are employed conceptually and linguistically to navigate the challenging aspects of death and dying, establishing a distinctive research trajectory within Conceptual Metaphor Theory. It argues that metonymic and metaphoric descriptions of death and dying exhibit unique characteristics, such as taboos, concealment, and considerations not present in figurative descriptions of life. Consequently, they yield distinct forms of euphemism, frames, and mental spaces that shape conceptualizations of death.

In the first part, the book explores metonymy in detail, shedding light on how it enables individuals to focus on the more benign dimensions of death or distance themselves from its more distressing aspects. The second part delves into the more palatable concepts that metaphorically structure and aid in better understanding death. A diverse array of classical and contemporary examples from European, Asian, Australian, and African languages and cultures highlights points of overlap and divergence.

By opening up new avenues for inquiry into research on death and dying and providing a linguistically-oriented complement to anthropological and religious studies on the subject, this book appeals to scholars in cognitive linguistics, sociolinguistics, cross-cultural communication, and cultural studies.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032025315