In the case of both metaphor and metonymy, we talk one thing in terms of another. However there is a difference between the two. Metaphor is an exchange of properties, while metonymy is an exchange of entities. Consider the following two sentences: (1) Kevin is bit of a monster (=scary, aggressive), (2) The White House (=government) announced new tax reforms. The first one is an example for metaphor, whereas the second one is an example for metonymy.
Littlemore studies metaphor and metonymy in the following contexts:
- cross-cultural communication; how metaphor and metonymy are used differently in different languages and cultures (emotions=heart/liver (Malaysia)); language learners (L2 speakers)
- discourse communities
- nursery - loose nappy(=for upset stomach0
- sports - put him under Reese(=Reese’s coaching)
- hospitals - room 121(=patient in the room 121)
- military - 12 o’clock for direction,
- business - hedge funds, ring fencing, angel investor, unicorn, …
- math and music education - high notes, low notes, thick notes, thin notes, ...
- how people talk about their traumatic experience, difficult moments of life (sexual abuse, physical abuse, mental abuse, miscarriage, rape, accident, violence, loss of dear ones, depression, isolation, )
- sexual health - The objective was to use metaphor and wordplay to raise awareness on sexual health in indirect and humorous ways. e.g. going to touch wood; visit her spaghetti garden, exploring their botanical gardens, ...
- advertising and branding - Jaguar Cars (as sleek and fast as jaguars), Rolls Royce Phantom (as strong and powerful as the superman character Phantom), The Beast (as scary as a beast),
- gestures - they are useful in establishing cohesion in conversation by L1 speakers; to find the right words (esp. by L2 speakers); some are metaphorical and some are metonymic (roof gesture for house) and some are pragmatic; sign language;
- non-verbal communication - metaphor and metonymy are common in verbal as well as non-verbal communication
- the pair of glasses on the table for the teacher: metonymy because the teacher wears the glasses
- handbag for Thatcher: metonymy because Thatcher used to have a handbag at public appearances
- sickle for the working class: metonymy because farmers use sickle in harvesting crops; no transfer of properties
- suit for the executive class: metonymy because corporate wear suits to meetings; no transfer of properties
- thumbs up for good luck, V for victory: metonymy because it’s a convention
- human-computer interaction - @MetaphorMagnet publishes metaphorical expressions generated by bots; how good are the metaphors (novelty, alliteration, Keats heursitic…)
- embodied metaphor - metaphors that trigger physical, mental and emotional responses; interaction between metaphorical and the physical (e.g. importance ~ weight, similar ~ close); metaphoric associations such as LOVE is JOURNEY; e.g. I have had a rough day; I am trying to climb Mount Everest in flipflops.
