Metaphorically-construed self-awareness in reflexive constructions

Grossman, Barry Hale (2018). Metaphorically-construed self-awareness in reflexive constructions. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

A unique, corpus-based methodology was created to determine reflexive construction metaphoricity. The method was able to retrieve metaphorically-expressed verbs, which were input into the verb slot of the reflexive construction in two online corpora. Results of the analysis show that some verbs have the ability to metaphorically construe different aspect of the self, one of them being perceptual self-awareness. The precise onset of perceptual self-awareness is usually sudden, reflected in the semantics of each of the verbs. This unexpected suddenness is a prime conceptual environment
to cradle the construal of Self-Awareness as it emerges in cognition.
Even though polysemy seems inherent within the data, corpus analysis shows that each has a unique collocational environment that helps delineate and differentiate collocational distinctions that can be supported by context in the form of the Focus of Awareness (FoA), i.e., the focus of the perceptual experience. Corpus data show that the FoA is a non-adjunctive, mandatory part of the conception. Data retrieval and analysis of collocational environments surrounding these metaphoric constructions are shown to be necessary components of this research methodology as a way to clarify fuzzy and/or borderline construals as they occur in actual language usage.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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