An Introduction to The National Language Research Institute:
A Sketch of its Achievements
Third Edition(1988)/
HTML Version(1997)
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II.2.16 A Stylistic Study of the Figurative
(Report 57, 1977. 632 pages)
This research is a contribution to the study of
figurative expression, continuing along the line of research
which aims to identify the expressive power of the Japanese
language and construct a new rhetorical theory in modern
literature. The overall framework of this report is as
follows: Part 1- Theoretical Considerations, Part 2-
Classification, Appendix, and Bibliography.
In the forward, we pointed out the important issues
which remain for inquiry in research on metaphor. The first
half of this book, "Essays on Aspects of Metaphorical
Expression," consists of 3 parts. Part I, "Fundamental
Considerations Related to Metaphor," consists of Chapters 1
through 3 and considers the basic problems which underlie all
analyses of rhetorical expressions. In Chapter 1, "The
Basic Nature of Metaphor," we discussed the user's purpose in
selecting metaphor as a means of expression, special
aspects of usage and structure, conditions for
communication, etc. In Chapter 2, "Types of Figurative
Usage," we summarized the types of figurative usage in
rhetoric and pointed out some problematic areas. In Chapter
3, "Stages of Figurativeness," we discussed problems related to
the degree of figurativeness. Part II, "Some Problems with
Metaphorical Research," consists of Chapters 4 and 5 and
focuses on actual examples of figurative expressions in
so-called practical and artistic texts. Chapter 4 examines
"Trends in Figurative Transformation," and Chapter 5
consists of an "Analysis of the Effects of Metaphor." In Part
III, "Thoughts and Expression in Metaphor," which consists
of Chapters 6 and 7, we examined the relations between
linguistic forms which express metaphor and contrasting
metaphorical facts which are realized in these forms. In
Chapter 6, "Linguistic Form and Figurative Contrast," we
considered the fundamental issues related to this problem,
and in Chapter 7, "Linguistic Conditions for the Realization of
Metaphor," we examined this issue in general.
In the second half of this book, "Classification of
Figurative Expressions," we created a classification of
figurative expressions from a linguistic point of view, using
literary works from IZUMI Kyo~ka to OE Kenzaburo~ as data, and
proposed a classification system for linguistic forms from the
reader's viewpoint. We organized the results of a
classification of indexical metaphors, combination
metaphors, and contextual metaphors on this basis, attached
secondary data which summarizes in chart form the
information which can be derived from this approach, and
appended an index of the metaphors found in these literary
works. In the final section we summarized the theory and
areas covered in each part of the book, indicated the
contributions made by this work, and discussed directions for
future research.
NAKAMURA Akira directed this research.
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