Figurative Language in Communication and Translation 3301-JS2821
The course is intended for the MA programme. It deals with the use of stylistic devices, such as metaphor, metonymy and irony/parody in communication and translation. The above-mentioned figures of speech involve various kinds of departure from literalness as encoded in the language system. As theoretical tools aimed at accounting for the interpretive mechanisms of metaphor, metonymy and irony, two major linguistic frameworks will be employed, namely Cognitive Linguistics and Relevance Theory. Despite many differences, both approaches treat figurative language as part of ordinary discourse which does not require any special skills to be understood.
1. Categories of figurative language on the basis of the source of non-literalness. Examples and intuitions how such examples are understood.
2. Metaphor and metonymy in cognition and communication; their rhetorical effects.
3. The use and translation of metaphor in academic and journalistic texts.
4. The use and translation of metaphor in literary texts and in song lyrics.
5. The use and translation of metaphor and metonymy in persuasive texts (e.g. advertisements).
6. Irony and parody as allusion to other people’s views. Various ways of exploiting intertextuality. Interpersonal functions of irony and parody.
7. The use and translation of irony/parody in non-literary texts.
8. The use and translation of irony/parody in literary texts.
9. The use and translation of irony/parody in persuasive texts.
10. Summing up: the effectiveness of figurative language in various forms of communication; application of various translation approaches.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
For students who started their studies in the academic years 2022/23-2024/25
Knowledge: the student is able to
- K_W01 Identify and characterize on an advanced level the place and status of linguistics, especially cognitive approaches to figurative language, within the humanities
- K_W02 Describe on an advanced level the current trends in linguistic research on figurative language within English studies
Th student is able to
- K_U01 Apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to the studies of pragmatics and stylistics;
- K_U03 Apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research task related to pragmatics and figurative language;
- K_U04 Analyze the use of figurative language in the context of societal, historical and economic factors on an advanced level.
- K_U05 Discern alternative methodological paradigms within communication studies and studies on figurative language;
- K_U08 Participate in group projects, collaborate with others and be a team leader in conducting collaborative research, presentations and other tasks included in the curriculum;
- K_U09 Present knowledge in a coherent, precise and linguistically correct manner in English on level C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, ensuring an appropriate register and form
Social competences:
The student is ready to
- K_K02 Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course to undertake lifelong learning, as well as personal and professional development;
- K_K03 Take responsibility for performing one’s professional duties, with due respect for the work of others, obey and develop the ethical norms in professional and academic settings related to the course;
- K_K04 Assess critically one’s own knowledge and skills related to the course.
For students beginning their studies in the academic year 2025/26
Knowledge: the graduate has familiarity with
K_W01 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, and in particular within the realm of the studies on figurative language in communication and translation;
K_W04 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright
Abilities: the graduate is able to
K_U01 apply advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, especially those pertaining to the studies on figurative language and its translation;
K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law
Social competences: the graduate is ready to
K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required
Assessment criteria
The course will be assessed on the basis of a 2500-word essay (80% of evaluation) and class activity + homework (20% of evaluation). It is expected that the essay applies the theoretical frameworks discussed in the class.
3 absences are allowed.
The same conditions apply to the retake session.
Bibliography
Literatura Barcelona, A. 2011. “Reviewing the properties and prototype structure of metonymy”. In R. Benczes, A. Barcelona & F.J. Ruiz de Mendoza Ibáñez (eds.), Defining Metonymy in Cognitive Linguistics: Towards a Consensus View. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 7–58.
Dobrzyńska, T. 1995. Translating metaphor: Problems of meaning. Journal of Pragmatics 24 (6): 595-60.
Dybiec-Gajer, J. (ed.) 2015. (Nie)dosłowność w przekładzie. Kraków: Tertium.
Gutt, E-A. 2000. Relevance and Translation. St. Jerome Publishing, Manchester.
Gutt, E-A. 2010. “Relevance and translation: On the value of a good theoretical foundation of translation”. In: In the Mind and across Minds, Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Newcastle upon Tyne, 292-309.
Hong Zhao. 2011. “A relevance-theoretic approach to verbal irony: A case study of ironic utterances in Pride and Prejudice.” Journal of Pragmatics, 43 (1): 175-182.
Jodlowiec, M. & A. Piskorska. 2015. “Metonymy revisited: Towards a new relevance-theoretic account.” Intercultural Pragmatics 12(2): 161-187.
Lagerwe, L. 2007. “Irony and sarcasm in advertisements: Effects of relevant inappropriateness.” Journal of Pragmatics 39 (10): 1702-1721
Lakoff, G. & M. Johnson. 2003 (2nd ed.). Metaphors We Live By. University of Chicago Press.
Newmark, P. 1988. A textbook of Translation. Prentice Hall.
Ruiz Moneva, M.A. 2017. “Code and inference in the expression of irony in Orwell’s Animal Farm and its translation into Spanish”. In: Applications of Relevance Theory: From Discourse to Morphemes. Newcastle-upon Tyne: CSP, 175-197.
Sperber, D. & D. Wilson. 2008. “A deflationary account of metaphor.” In: R.W Gibbs (ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of Metaphor and Thought. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 84-105.
Turner, M. http://markturner.org/blending.html (and other sources listed therein)
Wilson, D. 2006. “The pragmatics of verbal irony: Echo or pretence?” Lingua 116 (10):1722-1743.
Wilson, D. & D. Sperber, Relevance theory. In: L. Horn & G. Ward (eds.), The Handbook of Pragmatics, Blackwell, Oxford 2004, 607-632.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: