Metaphor and situational motivation

Abstract

In this chapter I begin by discussing the notion of ‘motivation’ in relation to metaphor. I then go on to consider a variety of uses of metaphor which appear to be motivated by a nonmetaphorical connection between the source domain and the topic (topic-triggered metaphors) or an aspect of the communicative situation, such as place, time, addresser and addressee (situationally triggered metaphors). I discuss examples from news reporting and political discourse in order to show how such metaphors can be exploited strategically to achieve particular rhetorical goals, including the creation of humour and persuasion. I suggest that this phenomenon should receive more systematic attention on the part of metaphor scholars.