ABSTRACT
The range of metaphorical language to be discussed runs from highly conventionalised single-word uses, such as those in (1), through cases employing familiar metaphorical schemes, whether lexical or extended, such as those in (2), to novel, creative, perhaps poetic/ literary uses, whether lexical or (much more) extended, such as those in (3):1
(1) a. Jane is an angel. b. Her boyfriend is a pig. c. I must fly. (2) a. It was daily warfare between my parents when I was a kid. b. Life is a journey, with mountains to climb, rivers to navigate and other travellers to walk with or flee from. (3) a. ‘The gold standard performance comes from McDiarmid. Vocally, he is spell-
binding, giving lines dexterous topspin and unexpected bursts of power.’ Theatre critic David Jays, reviewing a play,
The Sunday Times, 4 September 2011
b. Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
