Cognitive Metaphor and Discourse: Research Methods and Paradigms

Abstract

The article dwells on a modern cognitive and discourse study of metaphors. Taking the advantage of the analysis and fusion of information in foreign and domestic papers, the researcher delves into their classification from the ontological, axiological and epistemological points of view. The ontological level breaks down into two basic approaches, namely metaphorical nature of discourse and discursive nature of metaphors. The former analyses metaphors to fathom characteristics of discourse, while the other provides for the study of metaphorical features in the context of discursive communication. The axiological aspect covers critical and descriptive studies and the epistemological angle comprises quantitive and qualitative methods in metaphorical studies. Other issues covered in the paper incorporate a thorough review of methods for identification of metaphors to include computer-assisted solutions (Word Sense Disambiguation, Categorisation, Metaphor Clusters) and numerical analysis of the metaphorical nature of discourse – descriptor analysis, metaphor power index, cluster analysis, and complex metaphor power analysis. On the one hand, the conceptualization of research papers boils down to major features of the discursive approach to metaphors and on the other, multiple studies of metaphors in the context of discourse pave the way for a discursive trend in cognitive metaphorology.