Metaphorization

Metaphorization is the process of creating and using metaphors, which are figures of speech that express one thing by referring to another to suggest a similarity. This process allows for the transfer of concepts and the transmission of new ideas by mapping properties of a familiar subject onto a new one, providing a way to understand complex or abstract concepts, communicate new information, and explore deeper meanings in language and thought.
How it works

Establishing Similarity: The core of metaphorization is identifying and using the similarities between two different things or ideas to create a connection.

Transferring Properties: When you metaphorize, the characteristics, qualities, or functions of the familiar subject (the “source domain”) are transferred to the new or less understood subject (the “target domain”).

Understanding New Concepts: Metaphorization is a vital cognitive tool for learning and understanding, especially for abstract concepts or new fields of knowledge. By using familiar metaphorical models, people can better grasp and create mental representations of the world.

Examples and Applications

In Language: The phrase “drowning in money” uses the concept of a physical state (drowning) to describe a financial situation, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the money.

In Science and Technology: When a new field of knowledge emerges, metaphorization helps create terms using existing linguistic tools, making complex ideas more accessible. For example, in early computing, concepts were often described using metaphors like a “web” of information.

In Personal Growth: Metaphorization can be used to explore and understand our own desires, experiences, and inner selves. By finding resemblances, we can expose and appreciate our own uniqueness and complexity.

The Verb:

The verb form is metaphorize. You can metaphorize (verb) something by expressing it metaphorically, or you can metaphorize (intransitive verb) by making metaphors.