Metaphorical use of language is often thought to be at odds with
compositional, truth-conditional approaches to semantics: after all,
most metaphors are literally false. In this paper we sketch an
approach to metaphors based on standard type theory. Our approach is
classical: we do not invent a new logic. The approach models sense
extension in a simple and elegant way: the properties (supertypes)
shared between tenor and vehicle include the extensions of at least
both. The original predicates remain unchanged. Our approach captures
an asymmetry between metaphor and simile: the literal interpretation
of a metaphor comes out as (mostly) false while its non-literal
interpretation is that of a corresponding reduced simile. A
compositional syntax--semantics interface is provided and a deductive
account of metaphor resolution is outlined. The approach readily
translates into a simple computational implementation in Prolog. We
discuss how our approach addresses issues of generalisation, feature
selection, asymmetry, tension, trivialisation, prototypicality, truth
conditions, comprehension and generativeness.
Bibliography
Josef van Genabith, Metaphors, Logic and Type Theory, (in:) Metaphor
and Symbol, Vol.16., No. 1 & 2, Erlbaum Publishing, (in print).
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