Metaphors we feel by: Stratal tension

Abstract

This paper revisits the traditional concept of lexical metaphor from the perspective of SFL work on grammatical metaphor, exploring its interpretation as inter-stratal tension, and commenting on its rhetorical significance from both ideational and interpersonal points of view. Its goal has been to show how two key parameters of SFL theory, stratification and metafunction, can be deployed to provide an integrated comprehensive perspective on metaphor of all kinds. This involves drawing on SFL work on ideational and interpersonal meaning across strata, by way of clarifying what is meant by inter-stratal tension and outlining some foundations for research towards further formalisation of descriptions of the layers of meaning involved in metaphorical processes.