This article explains how metaphors play an important role in human cognition and contribute to the efficient use of language and the enrichment of meaning.
Traditional rhetoric describes metonymy as a type of analogy. However, recent research suggests that the ability to use a variety of metaphors, such as metonymy, is one of the fundamental characteristics of human cognition. This research suggests that metaphors are not just literary devices, but serve as important tools to explain many linguistic phenomena. We have cognitive mechanisms that allow us to utilize metaphors in our daily lives, so that we can understand metaphorical expressions without difficulty and express our experiences and thoughts naturally.
The reason why analogies are such a fundamental aspect of cognition is that analogical thinking plays a large role in how humans understand and communicate complex concepts through language. It is acquired early in life and plays an important role in everyday conversation, as well as in literature, art, science, and other fields. This shows that language is more than just a means of conveying information; it is a tool for structuring and expanding our thinking.
Metaphors are characterized by referring to objects or ideas based on their proximity. For example, in the expression “the kettle is boiling,” it is the water in the kettle that is actually boiling, but the name of the container, “kettle,” refers to its contents. This referential function comes from the proximity of the referents. We understand the expression “the kettle is boiling” to mean “the water is boiling” because there is a close proximity between “kettle” and “water” that makes semantic transfer by semantic association quick and natural.
Due to the transfer of meaning by proximity, metonymy occurs in a variety of ways in everyday language, which can be broadly categorized into ‘enlarging references’ and ‘narrowing references’. An enlarging reference is when a part refers to a whole, while a contracting reference is when a whole refers to a part. For example, in “There are not enough hands,” the part of the body, “hands,” is used to refer to the worker, and in “The whole neighborhood rejoiced,” the whole, “the neighborhood,” is used to refer to the people of the neighborhood.
But the importance of metaphors in everyday language goes beyond their economic efficiency. They’re also important evidence of how closely our thinking and language are linked. For example, the ability to understand a whole situation through a particular object simplifies a complex reality and helps us make quick and efficient decisions. It’s more than just a linguistic trick; it’s deeply ingrained in our cognitive processes.
When we look at the use of metaphors, it may seem like they’re insufficiently meaningful or omit expressions. Nevertheless, the reason why they don’t interfere much with communication is because of the flexibility of human cognition to refer to a part as a whole or a whole as a part. In the case of “open the car” or “repair the car,” we take this to mean opening the car’s door or trunk or repairing a part of the car. We understand the part as a whole, as a car, because we are free to emphasize the different aspects that make up the real thing.
The referential function of metaphors is not true under all conditions. The referential function of metonymy is highly context-dependent. The same word can be used metaphorically or not, and even if it is, its meaning can change depending on the context. Therefore, for metonymy to occur naturally, there must be shared knowledge of the situation between the speaker and the listener. When this knowledge is shared, metaphors can convey richer meaning and create a deeper connection with the listener.
In the end, metaphors are more than just a linguistic trick; they serve as cognitive tools that are deeply embedded in the way we think and communicate. For this reason, the ability to understand and utilize metaphors will play an increasingly important role in modern society. It goes beyond the use of language and contributes to making our way of thinking more flexible and richer. Recognizing the importance of metaphors, especially metonymy, and actively using them will help us to improve the quality of our everyday language life.
Furthermore, metaphorical thinking can also contribute to improving creativity and problem-solving skills. For example, in the business world, metaphors are often used to convey complex concepts in a concise manner. In art and literature, metaphors also play an important role in conveying powerful images and evoking deep emotions in readers and audiences.
As such, metaphors play an important role in all aspects of our linguistic life and thinking, and the ability to understand and utilize them will contribute to the further development of an individual’s cognitive abilities. It is important to remember that the ability to use metaphors effectively goes beyond mere communication and is an important tool for making our lives richer and more meaningful.
