What you'll learn
- You will gain an understanding of how metaphor creates meaning in English.
- You will learn how to use the knowledge of metaphor to understand English at a deep level.
- You will learn how to unlock new metaphors by applying knowledge of metaphor structure and function.
- You will gain an understanding and appreciation of the rich expressiveness of English.
- You will learn how top-level metaphors provide models for the construction of everyday, basic-level metaphors.
Requirements
- Ability to understand basic spoken English.
- Ability to read English at an intermediate level.
- Comfortable dealing with abstract concepts.
- Ability to apply patterns and processes to new situations and materials.
Description
This series of lectures examines one of the basic structures and functions of English -- that is, metaphor.
You will be introduced to the “metaphor as conceptual mapping” explanation of the metaphor-making process. This is central to our examination of common metaphors throughout the course and will give you a method of interpreting new metaphors as you meet them.
We will look at the work of George Lakoff, who has given us much to think about in regard to metaphor and how it functions. It may seem a bit theoretical, but it is helpful in understanding “metaphor as concept-mapping.”
An important part of the course will be about some of the “top-level metaphors” that provide the central relationships that control the formation of hundreds of the specific-level metaphors we use daily.
You may have been given the impression that metaphor is a limited feature of English writing or idiomatic spoken language, however, nothing could be further from the truth. English is fundamentally metaphorical in nature. If you understand THAT, and understand how metaphor is structured and functions, then you are better able to make sense of English the way native speakers do. And, if you are a native speaker, you will see your language in a totally new light — and, suddenly, a lot of those odd expressions you have been using all your life will suddenly make sense in a whole new way!
Who this course is for:
- Non-native English speakers with a desire to extend their knowledge of English.
- Non-native English speakers with a desire to learn how native English speakers structure meaning through the use of metaphor.
- Native English speakers who wants to know more about metaphor and its special place in our language and life.
Instructor
![Leigh Faulkner](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.3 Instructor Rating
- 115 Reviews
- 7,164 Students
- 5 Courses
I am an educator with broad experience. I've taught public school (all grades from four to twelve) and was vice principal or principal of various public schools. I was also principal of a private school. I was a volunteer international development worker with the World University Service of Canada, and I've taught at universities in three countries.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy, a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Arts (Ed.) in Curriculum Development, and a Doctor of Education in Reading Education.
I developed and taught English and study skills courses at an international university in Japan, where I was a tenured professor. I've now written five books on study skills and produced on-line study skills and English courses.
My poetry has been published in literary magazines and anthologies and I have published five books of poetry, as well as a novel.
Thank you for considering joining my courses. I'm excited at the prospect of sharing my knowledge with you. Sincere best wishes in all your endeavours.