ABSTRACT
As its title suggests, this chapter is about the metaphoric aspects of sign language and the use of such figurative devices by sign language users. 1 . Distinguishing and then integrating these domains requires consideration of three primary areas of investigation, each of which is described here to only a limited extent—albeit for different reasons. After a brief history of research into linguistic and psychological study involving metaphor, the chapter focuses on metaphorical qualities that appear to be inherent in signed languages to some greater degree than in spoken languages. Although it could be argued that, in terms of the totality of artistic impression, a spoken language can be as metaphorical as a signed language, the discussion here primarily considers everyday language, a domain in which spoken language often seems to be a dull cousin. Of particular interest here is the issue of metaphor versus iconicity. These two aspects of sign language frequently have been seen incorrectly as a single dimension, likely because iconicity does not occur in spoken languages (its closest parallel is onomatopoeia).
