Abstract:
This small research project investigates how one group of students unpack
metaphors in text about design. I report on qualitative data in the light of two theories, those
of Lakoff and Johnson, and Eileen Cornell Way. Within this framework, responses to
metaphors of native speakers of English are compared to those of students of a language
background other than English. Also considered are whether less or more contextualisation
has an impact on responses, and in what way. The findings show to some extent that
differences in perception of meanings of metaphors hinge on being able to interpret what is
hidden, masked, what is not, as well on what is highlighted, and point to the need for further
study.
