Metaphors and Similes

Question 1

Metaphors

Answer 1

• are figurative expressions that draw comparisons between things that are normally seen as dissimilar.
• Example: Anne is the apple of my eye. (cherished item)
• A metaphor includes a:
  Topic- the first item in the comparison

Vehicle – the item that the topic is compared to

Ground – the shared features

Question 2

Types of metaphors

Answer 2

1. Predicative: there is one topic and one vehicle

— Ex. “The bird was a flying rainbow.”

2. Proportional: two topics and two vehicles which express an analogy at an underlying level; at the surface level one topic is not stated.

— Ex. “The artist was an apple tree with no fruit.”
Analogy= apple tree is to fruit as artist is to ______. Artwork is the inferred topic.

Question 3

Similes

Answer 3

• Similes are a variation of predicative metaphors and the comparison is made more explicit by using “like” or “as adjective as”
• Example: “The bird was like a flying rainbow,” or “The bird was as colorful as a flying rainbow.”
• *When using the as (adjective) as structure the ground is explicitly stated.

Question 4

Why use Metaphors and Similes?

Answer 4

• Metaphors and Similes:

— Grab people’s attention

— Inspire imagination

— Provide another way of communicating
complex ideas

— Describe emotions

— To influence others

— To express opinions

• Metaphors and similes are frequently used in children’s books and in textbooks

Question 5

Comprehending Metaphors & Similes

Answer 5

Metaphors and similes are first understood in preschool, but comprehension continues to develop all the way into adulthood

Question 6

Factors that Influence Comprehension of Metaphors and Similes

Answer 6

1. Semantic Features:
   - Children need to know about and be aware of the semantic features of both the topic and vehicle in order to understand the metaphor or simile
   - AKA Semantic Feature Hypothesis
2. Concrete and Abstract Nouns:
   - Metaphors and similes are easier for children to understand when they use concrete nouns rather than abstract nouns
   - There can also be metaphors/similes that use both concrete and abstract nouns
   - Concrete Ex.: “He has a heart of stone.”
   - Mixed Ex.: “A circus clown is loneliness all dressed up.”
   - Abstract Ex.: “Life is a dream.”

Question 7

Factors that Influence Comprehension of Metaphors Continued…

Answer 7

1. Conceptual Domain:
   - The broader and more elaborate the knowledge base of the topic and vehicle used in a metaphor/simile, the better the understanding and appreciation of the expression

• For abstract metaphors/similes, the conceptual domain is even more important because of subtle meanings of abstract words
• Even though they are harder to grasp, young children can still understand psychological and abstract metaphors (related to emotions and personality traits
  2. Contextual Support:
• The more linguistic context presented with the metaphor, the better the comprehension of the expression

Question 8

Factors that Influence Comprehension of Metaphors Continued…

Answer 8

1. Surface Structure:
   - Metaphors’ surface structure is a factor in how easy or difficult the expression is to understand

• Research shows that it is easier for children to choose the meaning of a metaphor out of a series of choices than it is to explain the meaning in their own words
  2. Nonlinguistic Factors:
• Being able to pull knowledge from multi-sensory cues can aid in children’s comprehension of the expression (visual stimuli, facial expressions, etc.)

Question 9

Novel and Frozen Metaphors:

Answer 9

1. Frozen metaphors: frequently occurs in language; commonly used metaphors (“heart of stone,” “Life is like a dream”
2. Novel metaphors: occurs less frequently; not commonly used
   - Research has shown that frozen metaphors are easier for children to understand, and comprehension of both types of metaphors continues to improve with age

Question 10

Metaphoric Productions

Answer 10

• Studies show that production of both frozen and novel metaphors decreases with grade level and then, when produced, frozen metaphors are more common

—- This seems to be because students do not want to “rock the boat” and gamble with grades

Question 11

Assessments

Answer 11

1. Formal Assessments that Look at Figurative Language: Metaphors & Similes:
   - CASL (idiomatic language section)
   - OWLS (within the expressive and receptive language tests
2. Informal Assessments of Metaphors & Similes:
   - Identifying presence of similes & metaphors
   - Filling in the blanks to complete similes & metaphors
   - Choosing from a series of options to complete similes & metaphors
   - Explaining the meaning of similes & metaphors

Question 12

Treatment

Answer 12

• Worksheets
• Flashcards
• Books
• Games
• Online Activities
• figurative language map