11
C. Metaphors
Aristotle defines metaphor as: “metaphor is the transference of a
customary terms meaning either from the generic to specific or from the specific to the specific or from one generic to another or through analogy”.
18
Aristotle considered metaphor as an act of substation or removal transfer. This is according to the etymological meaning of the word metaphor Greek
which consists of the prefix meta-pherein and verbs. Prefix meta-usually used to convey an idea of the changes, then the verb pherein meaning carry. So
literally, the word metaphor has meaning more transfer.
In addition to the follow-substitution, Aristotle also believes that the metaphors are a form of implicit comparisons are based on the principle of
analogy. The view is generally called “the comparison theory of metaphor”.
With regard to the use or function of metaphor, Aristotle assume that the primary function of language metaphor merely ornamental, only as rhetorical
tool.
19
There are three characteristic associated with the concept of metaphor according to Aristotle, namely 1 metaphor operates at the level of
words 2 metaphor is a form of deviation deviant of language, and 3 the similarity relationship between two nominal elements in metaphor words 2
18
Levin Samuel R. 1977. The Semantics of Metaphor. The Hopkins University Press, p.79.
19
Andrew Ortony. 1993. Metaphor and Thought. UK: Cambridge University Press, p.3.
12
metaphor is a form of deviation deviant of language, and 3 the similarity relationship between two nominal elements in metaphor.
20
Aristotle’s remarks concerning this relation have caused a lot of confusion. As said, various authors think that he sees metaphor as an
abbreviated simile, but he actually says the very opposite of this, simile, too, is a kind of metaphor; for it differs only slightly, What we can conclude of
this suggestion that not simile, but metaphor is the more general notion? Let us look at Aristotle’s argument. If a poet says, using a simile, that Roy
rushed on like a lion , he does practically the same thing as with the metaphorical the lion rushed on’ said of the same human being: for both
brave, the poet metaphorically lit.,carrying over names Roya lion. Unfortunately, this passage does not really make a clear distinction between
metaphor and simile at all. We might be tempted to attribute the slight difference precisely to the fact that the metaphor, unlike the simile, involves
a transfer. The closure of positivism in the middle of this century was the beginning
of the reevaluation of the concept of metaphor. Metaphor is no longer seen as merely a figure of speech figure of speech alone, but rather the ability of the
figurative language to express meaning.
20
Ahmad Hassan. 2003. Metafora Melayu: Bagaimana Pemikir Melayu Mencipta Makna dan Membentuk Epistemologonya.
Sungai Ramal Dalam: Akademi Kajian Ketamadunan, p3
13
In his essay, IA Richards 1936, as quoted by Ortony, states that In the simplest formulation, when we use a metaphor we have two thoughts of different
things active together and supported by a single word, or phrase whose meaning is a resultant of reviews their interaction.
21
Relying on his statement, Richards synthesizing the concept of comparison Aristotle by proposing three elements
that can be assessed in a metaphor, namely 1 tenor topic intent issues discussed, 2 vehicle vehicle the comparison likened , and 3 ground
basic common feature which is owned by the tenor and the vehicle.
22
All three of these elements can be seen in the following example. be prepared for a
mountain of paperwork. vehicle in this example is a mountain which has been the domain source for metaphors have meaning numerous, plentiful as tenor
topic. the relationship between these two things, the size amount of large,
becomes the metaphor ground.
In 1955, Max Black filed three point views on the operating metaphor. The third viewpoint is the substitution view, comparison view, and
interaction view
23
. Based on viewpoint substitution, metaphor operations are in literal statement that has meaning metaphorically. The process of understanding
a metaphor includes two process, namely 1 recognize a form of the word expression
utterance particular
polysemy, then
2 the
wordexpressionspeech is uttered with the aim interpreted secondary in this case metaphorically, and not literal by partner said. In the other words,
21
Andrew Ortony. Loc.,Cit.
22
Stephen Ullman. 1964. Language and Style. New York: barnes Nobel Inc, p.213.
23
Andrew Ortony. Op. Cit., p.10.
