THE STYLISTIC FUNCTION OF METAPHORS IN EXPLAINING ABSTRACT SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Scientific discourse often deals with phenomena that are invisible, infinitesimal, or highly theoretical, making them difficult for the general public to grasp. This study explores the stylistic and cognitive functions of metaphors in popular science, analyzing how they act as essential mediators between abstract theory and common understanding. By mapping familiar source domains onto complex target domains, metaphors provide the necessary imagery to conceptualize things such as subatomic particles, genetic sequences, and cosmological events. The analysis focuses on the pragmatic utility of metaphorical framing in managing cognitive load and fostering reader engagement. The findings suggest that metaphors are not merely decorative flourishes but are central to the explanatory power of science journalism. Understanding the selection and application of these linguistic tools is vital for improving scientific literacy and making the "unthinkable" accessible to the human imagination.
Article Details
Section
References
1. Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors we live by. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 320.
2. Mugford, G., & Dymott, R. (2012). The popularisation of science: A linguistic analysis. Journal of Science Communication, 11(2). p. 340.
3. Sager, J. C. (1990). A practical course in terminology processing. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. p. 188.
4. Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. London: Longman, 1985. - p. 1150.
5. Charteris-Black, J. (2004). Corpus approaches to critical metaphor analysis. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 190.
6. Biber, D. (1988). Variation across speech and writing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 410.