Re-connecting with Nature - Part 2

Figures of speech: Metaphor and Metonymy

Whilst syntagmatic and paradigmatic series govern how signs relate to each other they also relate to figures of speech.

Syntagm---------------Paradigm

(Combination)         (Substitution)

Paradigmatic substitution = Metaphor

Paradigmatic substitution requires a perception of similarity, hence the connection between the dishes in the starter section of a menu being paradigmatically the same but different from those in the sweets. Although it is all food in the context of a menu it is not from the same set (starter, main, sweets). This perception of similarity is believed to generate metaphor.

She was a lion in battle

A lion to the Native American Indian represents amongst other traits strength, energy, courage, guardianship and protection. The word lion has been substituted for a similar word that conveys meaning.

Metaphoric Order – Paradigmatic – Substitution and Selection

For Russian linguist and literary theorist Roman Jakobson (1895-1982) metaphoric order is thought to be responsible for lyrical songs, poetry, Romanticism, filmic metaphor as set out in Chaplin films and surrealism.

Both metaphor and metonymy involve the substitution of one term for another.  

• Metaphor is based on some specific similarity
• Metonymy is based on some understood association (contiguity).

 Syntagmatic combination = Metonymy

Syntagmatic combination requires a perception of contiguity, to be very near or touching. Metonymy is a figure of speech whereby a thing or concept is not called by its own name, but by the name of something intimately associated with that thing or concept.

Stu is not similar to a cat but he is associated with style, being hip and cool. (Fig 4)

                                          Fig 5 M King "Stu"

 Metonymic Order – Syntagmatic – Combination and Contiguity

For Jakobson metonymic order is thought to be responsible for prose, heroic epics such as War and Peace, Realism, montage and journalism.

Traditionally in literary criticism metaphor and metonymy had been deemed as being related as figures of speech. They are consequently believed to be opposed to one another. However, when combined one dominates the other.

Metaphor---------------Metonymy

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Appignanesi R et al Introducing Postmodernism: A Graphic Guide to Cutting-Edge Thinking Cambridge: UK

De Botton A, 2012 Religion For Atheists Penguin London: UK

Levine D, 1971 (ed) Simmel: On individuality and social forms Chicago University Press.  p6

Macionis G, John L, 2010 Sociology 7th Canadian Ed Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Canada Inc. p. 53

McClenon, p.528-529

ONLINE

http://changingminds.org/explanations/critical_theory/concepts/syntagm_paradigm.htm

http://www-as.phy.ohiou.edu/~rouzie/307j/binary.html

http://www.chacha.com/question/what-is-the-latin-root-of-the-word-culture

http://www.totem-pole.net/rules.html

http://www.creatorix.com.au/philosophy/24/24f04.html

http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=122

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-totems2.html

Image Copyright Mark King 2012