Metaphorically Speaking

The Conversation   (by Arnold Lakhovsky)

Mean what you say, and say what you mean can be interpreted in many ways.  You might come right out with things in a literal fashion, or you might sprinkle some metaphors into your conversation.

Although metaphors might seem poetic, they can be rooted in bodily experience.  Functional MRIs have shown that motor

areas of the brain are activated when action-oriented metaphors are spoken.    For example, saying “I grasp the idea” could be stimulating the motor neurons.

This linguistic connection to cognitive processes may have profound implications.  Could the careful use of language improve a person’s overall sense of well being?  On the flip side, could words actually be as harmful as sticks and stones?

Resources

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/uoa-htb040119.php

Copyright April 4, 2019 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved