International Journal of Language & Literature

Metaphors We Believe By
Sara Torres Servín, Ph.D.

Abstract
This paper examines the pervasive use of metaphors in the parables that Jesus Christ used when He spoke to His audiences and preached His message in Israel. There is a great number of metaphors in the parables in the New Testament gospels. At a closer look there seems to be a metaphorical system running through those parables. At the same time there are conceptual metaphors underlying the metaphors in that system. Through this analysis we will explore the idea that since conceptual metaphors are an overall part of human cognition manifested in every-day language, this may be the reason why Jesus used this linguistic tool of metaphors so frequently and was usually understood by His listeners. This research is based upon the general framework of Metaphors We Live By, by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson (1980). These authors firmly believe that metaphors are not merely poetical o even grammatical realities, but part of normal everyday speech. Apparently this concept has been the same for a long period of time already, as can be proved in this study.

Full Text: PDF      DOI: 10.15640/ijll.v4n2a4