Title The metaphorization of the human mind as a computer in Lithuanian and English /
Translation of Title Žmogaus proto kaip kompiuterio metafora lietuvių ir anglų kalbose.
Authors Karaliutė, Edita ; Nevidonskienė, Lolita
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Is Part of Filologija. 2008, Nr. 13, p. 69-76.. ISSN 1392-561X
Keywords [eng] human mind ; computer ; conceptual metaphor ; computational theory of mind
Abstract [eng] The present paper discusses the conceptual metaphor THE HUMAN MIND IS A COMPUTER and its manifestations in Lithuanian and English. The analysis of metaphoric expressions, based on the data of electronic corpora of the two languages, has revealed that knowledge about a computer (usually its functioning) is mapped on the domain of the human mind, especially to refer to processes of thought and memory. Most expressions are highly explicit (often direct comparisons or phrases with an indication of a computer’s location in one’s head). This shows that their metaphoricity is consciously perceived; they are often of novel, individual character. The paper traces the origin of the computer metaphor, related to the deeply entrenched machine metaphor and the computational theory of mind, dominant in cognitive psychology in the second half of the 20th century, which has presumably induced the spread of computer terms in scientific discource and, later, everyday language. Examples of language use demonstrate that metaphorical understanding of the mind as a computer (as the machine metaphor in general) highlights mechanical aspects of the mind such as speed, efficiency, precision, forcing into background its essence – the human nature.
Type Journal article
Language English
Publication date 2008