This is a marvelous lecture, by Professor George Lakoff, on conceptual
metaphors that help linguist and scientist, generalize relationships, life
situations, and events, through metaphors, that help us understand dynamics,
emotions, and ideas behind actions. Lakoff became interested in conceptual
metaphors, after a student brings up her break-up, for class discussion. Thus,
together they conceived the generalization of “love seen as a journey.”
It is this
idea, that a relationships can be related to love, literally like you are going
on a journey. The amazing views, and adventures you will encounter, as well as
the hardships that are endured. Lakoff, breaks down the relationship through mathematical
mapping. I.e. the person(s): driver(s), love: vehicle, spinning wheels:
impediments in relationship, or obstacles, no progress in relationship: stuck
in snow, sand, ice, equals feelings of frustration. Break-up: cannot keep
going, giving up.
This generalization
and analogies, through metaphor, is relatable; allowing others to feel connection,
empathy, and compassion towards the student’s break-up situation. The idea, of “______,
as a journey,” can be anything; career, relationships, academics, actual
travel, which can be inserted into sentence above. Any of these concepts can relate
to the “love as a journey,” metaphorically, mostly because the metaphor
explains highs and lows, interpersonal struggles and defeat, that can sometimes
be hard to explain to others.
G. Lakoff, Metaphors in our Daily Lives, Conceptual Metaphors.
YouTube,https://usfca.instructure.com/courses/1423849/assignments/5400106#submit.
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