Metaphorical use of language in educational discourse : a theoretical and empirical investigation.
Year: 1997
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This thesis investigates metaphor used by teachers and textbook writers, and the impact \non children. The theoretical investigation clarifies definitions and descriptions of \nmetaphor, to establish a valid, adequate framework for analysis of metaphor in ordinary, \ncontextualised interaction. A "prosaics of metaphor" is developed, including metaphor \nidentification procedures, a set of graded descriptors of metaphor, and interactional units \nof analysis to investigate metaphor in talk. Theoretical issues of the coherence of the \ncategory "prosaic metaphor", and the relation between prosaic and poetic metaphor, are \ndiscussed. \nTwo linked empirical investigations are centred around a ten year old child's discourse \nexperience in a U.K. primary classroom. The first analyses transcribed talk, collected \nacross several different lessons, for use of metaphor in relation to teaching/learning \ngoals. Results include information on the frequency, distribution and nature of metaphor \nin use, and insights into how metaphor is signalled and supported in teacher-pupil \ninteraction. Metaphor use is explained in terms of contextual demands, and the set of \ngraded metaphor descriptors is refined. The second investigation uses a variation of \nThink Aloud methodology to explore understanding of metaphors in scientific texts. \nAnalysis shows how knowledge brought to a text, selection of metaphors, the place of \nmetaphor in text structure, and peer or adult mediation can influence understanding and \nlearning. \nThe study reveals how metaphor choice can oversimplify concepts and skills which \nchildren need to acquire in the middle years of education. Interaction is shown as central \nin providing access to new ideas through metaphor. These results carry implications for \ntextbook writers, teachers, and others who may mediate content through metaphor. The \nthesis contributes to the field of metaphor studies through links found between child and \nadult use of metaphor, and through the development of tools for analysing metaphor in \ninteraction, which can be refined and extended to other discourse contexts.
Source: IOE EPrints
Author: Lynne Cameron
Language: English
Subfield: Linguistics and Language
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2289567658