Discourse Studies http://dis.sagepub.

com/

Book review: Lynne Cameron and Robert Maslen (eds), Metaphor Analysis: Research Practice in Applied Linguistics, Social Sciences and the Humanities. London: Equinox, 2010, viii + 298 pp., ISBN 9781845534462, US$34.00 (hbk)
Ya Sun Discourse Studies 2011 13: 507 DOI: 10.1177/14614456110130040603 The online version of this article can be found at: http://dis.sagepub.com/content/13/4/507

Published by:
http://www.sagepublications.com

Additional services and information for Discourse Studies can be found at: Email Alerts: http://dis.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts Subscriptions: http://dis.sagepub.com/subscriptions Reprints: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav Permissions: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav Citations: http://dis.sagepub.com/content/13/4/507.refs.html

>> Version of Record - Jul 27, 2011 What is This?

Downloaded from dis.sagepub.com at Middlesex University on March 8, 2012

Book reviews

507

Lynne Cameron and Robert Maslen (eds), Metaphor Analysis: Research Practice in Applied Linguistics, Social Sciences and the Humanities. London: Equinox, 2010, viii + 298 pp., ISBN 9781845534462, US$34.00 (hbk). Reviewed by: Ya Sun, Researcher Center for Business English and Cross-cultural Studies and School of International Studies, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, P.R. China

Metaphor Analysis proposes a discourse dynamics framework for metaphor, built on the premise that metaphor should be studied in real language use as social interaction. The aim of the book is to illustrate how metaphor can offer insights into peoples ideas, attitudes and beliefs, and to demonstrate research methodology that builds on this premise (p. 257). The book consists of four sections. Section 1 has two introductory chapters for inspiring readers enthusiasm for metaphor as a tool in applied linguistics, the social sciences and the humanities. Chapter 1 (Cameron) gives readers a first impression of the multidimensional metaphor and procedures of doing metaphor analysis by presenting an empirical study of metaphor use in reconciliation talk. Chapter 2 (Todd and Low) is a literature survey of metaphor analysis in a range of fields, including media talk of Avian flu, university lectures, parent interviews and doctor consultations. Particular attention is given to methodological issues for their innovative aspects and controversial points. Section 2 presents theoretical frameworks for metaphor. Chapter 3 (Deignan) is an overview and critique of Lakoff and Johnsons conceptual metaphor theory (CMT), claiming that CMT revolutionizes the study of metaphor, but CMT has also met with criticisms mostly because the argument that metaphor should be seen as conceptual is taken to extremes. Therefore, it is suggested that an appropriate and adequate theory of metaphor research should be established on the basis of language as discourse, context and speaker meaning. A context-limited simulation theory of metaphor use and interpretation is formulated in Chapter 4 (Ritchie), based on a synthesis of Gibbss extension of CMT, Barsalous perceptual simulation theory, and the understanding of communicative context in which a metaphor occurs. In Chapter 5 Cameron develops the discourse dynamics framework for metaphor, where discourse is seen as a dynamic system in which metaphor is subject to the dynamics of self-organization and emergence as discourse proceeds. Underpinning the framework is the assumption of interconnectedness of the dimensions of metaphor in use (linguistic, cognitive, affective, physical, cultural) (p. 78). Section 3 explores methodological procedures of metaphor analysis as follows: identifying metaphors (Chapter 6, Cameron and Maslen), finding systematicity in metaphor use (Chapter 7, Cameron, Maslen and Low), and integrating metaphor analysis with analysis of discourse activity (Chapter 8, Cameron). The authors have used two main data samples in these chapters to exemplify methodological steps: Blairs speech and the focus group discussions of the Perception and Communication of Terrorist Risk project. Corpus techniques used in metaphor analysis are introduced in Chapter 9 (Deignan and Semino) to support the aim of researching metaphor in authentic data. In Chapter 10 Maslen reminds readers of potential pitfalls in working with large amounts of data in metaphor research. Chapter 11 (Cienki) provides another methodological perspective: multimodal metaphor analysis and gestural metaphor. Researching metaphoric gestures provides a way out of

Downloaded from dis.sagepub.com at Middlesex University on March 8, 2012

508

Discourse Studies 13(4)

the criticism of circularity of conceptual metaphor theory by providing an independent source of evidence of the psychological reality of conceptual metaphors (p. 212). Section 4 concludes the book with Chapter 12 (Low and Todd) offering guidelines and pitfalls for good practice in doing metaphor research. Reports on two research projects follow: applying metaphor analysis to online discussions in a doctorate study (Chapter 13, Rivers) and using metaphor analysis to compare expert and public perceptions of the risk of terrorism (Chapter 14, Cameron and Maslen). Chapter 15 (Cameron and Maslen) is a short summary of the whole book. The book deserves the title Metaphor Analysis since all the chapters centre on how to use metaphor as a research tool. First, it not only sets more than one complete example of metaphor analysis but also exemplifies each step of metaphor analysis. Second, it introduces modern techniques in metaphor analysis, including both data processing software and qualitative analysis software. Third, readers are reminded of ensuring trustworthiness in metaphor identification and grouping because identifying metaphors still cannot be separated from manual work. Even though the book is methodology-oriented, it also explores the relationship between the discourse dynamics framework for metaphor and CMT. Cameron says the discourse dynamics framework is inspired and informed by conceptual metaphor theory (p. 77). However, the former contrasts with the latter in quite a few ways. For instance, the former, following a bottomup analysis, argues that systematic metaphors are emergent in discourse while the latter, adopting a topdown method, believes that conceptual metaphors are assumed to pre-exist in discourse. Moreover, the former tries to avoid being over-inclusive and to remain as specific as possible in labelling systematic metaphors, whereas the latter is concerned with generalizing conceptual metaphors to the highest level possible. Though confrontation between the two is inevitable, complementarity is possible (Cameron, 2007). The book also demonstrates other appealing aspects of metaphor analysis. It requires identifying all linguistic metaphors for reliability and validity instead of particular types of metaphor. Metaphor vehicle terms are identified, rather than individual metaphorically used words, so metaphor vehicles may be phrases. Moreover, the elusive and implicit nature of metaphor topics is revealed in that they need to be inferred, which may lead to misunderstanding in communication. Therefore, this idea will provide new insights on linguistic misunderstanding from the perspective of metaphor use and interpretation. However, the book could be improved by telling readers how to integrate metaphor analysis with (critical) discourse analysis more clearly and elaborately, even though it is difficult to offer a single template for the process of combining analyses of metaphor and discourse activity (p. 152). Overall, Metaphor Analysis is metaphor-researcher-friendly, and makes a worthwhile theoretical and methodological contribution to metaphor research, in particular metaphor in discourse research. Reference
Cameron L (2007) Confrontation or complementarity? Metaphor in language use and cognitive metaphor theory. Annual Review of Cognitive Linguistics 5: 107135.

Downloaded from dis.sagepub.com at Middlesex University on March 8, 2012