HCC classHCC classlecture 8 commentslecture 8 comments

John CannyJohn Canny2/14/052/14/05

AdministriviaAdministrivia

Project proposals are due today.Project proposals are due today.

I’m travelling on Weds. Class as usual but I’m travelling on Weds. Class as usual but someone else will lead the discussion. someone else will lead the discussion.

MetaphorMetaphor

Lakoff and Johnson give convincing arguments for Lakoff and Johnson give convincing arguments for the importance of metaphor in language.the importance of metaphor in language.

They also argue for the universality of certain They also argue for the universality of certain metaphors (primary metaphors).metaphors (primary metaphors).

Metaphors are “grounded” in sensori-Metaphors are “grounded” in sensori-motor experience, meaning we use motor experience, meaning we use our sensori-motor skills to apply them.our sensori-motor skills to apply them.

Metaphor and PiagetMetaphor and Piaget

What happens in the transition from sensori-motor What happens in the transition from sensori-motor to concrete thought in Piaget’s theory? to concrete thought in Piaget’s theory?

Metaphor VariationMetaphor Variation

Primary metaphors are quite robust across Primary metaphors are quite robust across societies, are is Piaget’s sensori-motor stage. societies, are is Piaget’s sensori-motor stage. However, they are not universal:However, they are not universal:

For us the “time is a journey” metaphor puts the For us the “time is a journey” metaphor puts the future ahead of us, because we arrive there later. future ahead of us, because we arrive there later.

For other societies, “forward” is toward the past, For other societies, “forward” is toward the past, because it is visible. The future is behind because it because it is visible. The future is behind because it cannot be seen. cannot be seen.

Metaphor VariationMetaphor Variation

Others primary metaphors appear to be universal:Others primary metaphors appear to be universal:

““These prices are through the roof!”These prices are through the roof!”

““.. that will send me over the edge”.. that will send me over the edge”

““.. they rammed the bill through Congress”.. they rammed the bill through Congress”

““..this company is red hot”..this company is red hot”

But are these really about sensori-motor experience? But are these really about sensori-motor experience?

Mediated ExperienceMediated Experience

Much of our physical experience is actually Much of our physical experience is actually mediated by books, TV, movies etc. mediated by books, TV, movies etc.

We lack the direct experience, but we can transfer We lack the direct experience, but we can transfer to the new concept by referencing our direct to the new concept by referencing our direct experience (e.g. seeing people having an experience (e.g. seeing people having an experience allows us to “see it experience allows us to “see it though their eyes”)though their eyes”)

Thus “grounding” is hypothetical, ratherThus “grounding” is hypothetical, ratherthan based on experience.than based on experience.

Other idiomsOther idioms

Consider some other idioms:Consider some other idioms:

““Too many cooks spoil the broth”Too many cooks spoil the broth”

““Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”

““the straw that broke the camel’s back”the straw that broke the camel’s back”

Crying “uncle”, “Spam” etc.Crying “uncle”, “Spam” etc.

These have socio-cultural meanings.These have socio-cultural meanings.

IdiomIdiom

Idioms (and myths) are tools to describe complex Idioms (and myths) are tools to describe complex phenomena: “Oedipal complex,” a “Cassandra,” phenomena: “Oedipal complex,” a “Cassandra,” “McCarthyism,” “his Waterloo”“McCarthyism,” “his Waterloo”

In the general case, we use wide-shared cultural In the general case, we use wide-shared cultural “experiences” to ground idioms. “experiences” to ground idioms.

But we definitely have a preference But we definitely have a preference for sensori-motor idioms. Why?for sensori-motor idioms. Why?

The “Inevitability of Metaphor”The “Inevitability of Metaphor”

Lakoff and Johnson give a biological explanation: Lakoff and Johnson give a biological explanation: “Our enormous metaphoric conceptual system is “Our enormous metaphoric conceptual system is thus built up by a process of neural selection”. thus built up by a process of neural selection”.

What about ontogenetic and socio-cultural What about ontogenetic and socio-cultural explanations? explanations?

Learning facilitators (review)Learning facilitators (review)

People learn best by doing (actively People learn best by doing (actively constructing new knowledge). constructing new knowledge).

It allows them to create theories of what is It allows them to create theories of what is going on and test them immediately. going on and test them immediately.

Learning and experienceLearning and experience

Learning is most effective when it connects Learning is most effective when it connects with the learner’s with the learner’s real-worldreal-world experiences. experiences.

The knowledge that the learner already has The knowledge that the learner already has form those experiences serves as a foundation form those experiences serves as a foundation for knew knowledge. for knew knowledge.

Memorization tricksMemorization tricks

Memorization is enhanced by creating Memorization is enhanced by creating vivid vivid mental imagesmental images, even parodies, or real , even parodies, or real situations. situations.

Thus idioms with these qualities are more likely Thus idioms with these qualities are more likely to be remembered and used. They often evoke to be remembered and used. They often evoke emotional responses in us (which is why they emotional responses in us (which is why they are easy to remember), that aid the speaker’s are easy to remember), that aid the speaker’s meaning. meaning.

Socio-cultural explanationsSocio-cultural explanations

Lakoff and Johnson have an interest in Lakoff and Johnson have an interest in “universal” metaphors, and do not discuss at “universal” metaphors, and do not discuss at length cultural variations. length cultural variations.

We’ll leave this to the next few lectures, when We’ll leave this to the next few lectures, when we discuss literary theories. we discuss literary theories.

Cognitive Science methodsCognitive Science methods

Did you notice methodological differences Did you notice methodological differences between this paper and the earlier readings? between this paper and the earlier readings?

Discussion questionsDiscussion questions

1.1. Discuss primary and secondary metaphors Discuss primary and secondary metaphors for a domain you are familiar with (e.g. for a domain you are familiar with (e.g. computer science). Are there differences computer science). Are there differences between you? What about non-CS friends?between you? What about non-CS friends?

2.2. Discuss the differences between sensori-Discuss the differences between sensori-motor metaphor and general idiom. Relate motor metaphor and general idiom. Relate these differences to transitions from these differences to transitions from sensori-motor to higher reasoning in sensori-motor to higher reasoning in Piaget.Piaget.

Assignment for next timeAssignment for next time

Semiotics (online). Semiotics (online).

Volunteer for the presentation? Volunteer for the presentation?

We also need a moderator. We also need a moderator.