Ontological Metaphor.docx

Ontological Metaphor Definition: An ontological metaphor is a metaphor in which an abstraction, such as an activity, emotion, or idea, is represented as something concrete, such as an object, substance, container, or person. Kinds:   

Container Metaphor Entity Metaphor Substance Metaphor

Container Metaphor Definition: A containment metaphor is an ontological metaphor in which some concept is represented as:  

having an inside and outside, and capable of holding something else.

Examples: (English) I’ve had a full life. Life is empty for him. Her life is crammed with activities. Get the most out of life. Source: Lakoff, G. and Johnson 1980 29–30, 51

Entity Metaphor Definition: An entity metaphor is an ontological metaphor in which an abstraction is represented as a concrete physical object. Kinds: 

Personification

Examples: (English) In the following sentences, the mind is represented as a machine or a brittle object:

   

We're still trying to grind out the solution to this equation. My mind just isn’t operating today. Her ego is very fragile. You have to handle him with care since his wife’s death.

Source: Lakoff, G. and Johnson 1980 25, 27–28

Substance Metaphor Definition: A substance metaphor is an ontological metaphor in which an abstraction, such as an event, activity, emotion, or idea, is represented as material. Examples: (English) 

Here are some examples of the activity-as-substance metaphor: o There was a lot of good sprinting in the race. o I couldn’t do much sprinting until the end.

Source: Lakoff, G. and Johnson 1980 25, 31

https://glossary.sil.org/term/substance-metaphor