Mohammad Abdelwali

Metaphor, Simile, Culture Mohammad Abdelwali

A great deal of literature recognizes that metaphors exploit similarities. However, there is little empirical research on how people from different cul­tu­ral backgrounds perceive similarity in metaphor in its simplest form X (target) is Y (source). This study thus investigates the perception of similarity in me­ta­phors from two cultural backgrounds (Arabic speakers & English speakers). A major focus is set on how the distinction between metaphors and their re­la­ted similes culturally affects the way similarity is perceived. Given that simi­la­rity is a vacuous term since any two things can be similar in one way or an­other, this study sets three major parameters ; physical, behavioural, and evaluative) against which the interpretations of the two cultural groups are weighed. The analysis should help to answer the following questions:- How consistently do American and Arabian university students interpret me­ta­phors and their related similes when the metaphors and similes are presented out of context?- Does the gender of the target term make a difference in in­terpreting metaphors and their structurally related similes?-How consistently do American and Arabian university students consider their interpretation of metaphors and similes to have a cultural origin?- What cues do the par­ti­ci­pant groups use in distinguishing metaphors from non - metaphors? This book is addressed to researchers in applied linguistics and culture, as well as teachers in multicultural settings. It is also addressed to curriculum de­signers and appreciators of figurative language.