Descriptions of pain, metaphor and embodied simulation.

Semino, Elena (2010) Descriptions of pain, metaphor and embodied simulation. Metaphor and Symbol, 25 (4). pp. 205-226. ISSN 1092-6488

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Abstract

The variety of sensations conveyed by the English word pain tend to be described via expressions that refer to potential causes of bodily damage (e.g., stabbing, burning). Such expressions are used metaphorically when they convey pain experiences that do not directly result from physical damage (e.g., migraine pain). In this paper, I discuss psycholinguistic and neuroscientific research that suggests that these uses of metaphor may facilitate some form of embodied simulation of pain experiences on the part of listeners/readers, which may in turn provide the basis for an empathic response. I suggest that different kinds of metaphorical descriptions of pain vary in terms of their potential for eliciting a response involving embodied simulation, and in terms of the nature and intensity of the simulation they may elicit. I argue that the most relevant characteristics of metaphorical descriptions of pain in this respect are their level of detail, degree of creativity, and textual complexity.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Metaphor and Symbol
Additional Information:
The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Metaphor and Symbol, 25 (4), 2010, © Informa Plc
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/englishlanguageandlinguistics
Subjects:
?? english language and linguisticscommunicationlinguistics and languageexperimental and cognitive psychologyp philology. linguistics ??
ID Code:
33489
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
24 May 2010 09:07
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
31 Dec 2023 00:17