Abstract:

The present article begins by discussing various theories on metaphor, particularly those forwarded by Searle, Davison, and Lakoff and Johnson. After pointing out inadequacy of their theories, I proceed to present my own understanding of metaphor as endowing a form to experiences short of formal indication through well-formed experiences, which leads to a radical revision of traditional definition of metaphor. (The general concept of implication is investigated in the last sections and the new concept "semantic conditioning" is introduced.)

Key words: metaphor, simile, literal meaning, context, semantic conditioning