Publications

Publication details [#1017]

Lattmann, Claas. 2012. Icons of novel thought: A new perspective on Peirce's definition of metaphor (CP 2.277). Semiótica 2012 (192) : 535–556. 22 pp.
Publication type
Article in journal
Publication language
English
Place, Publisher
Berlin: Walter de Gruyter

Abstract

In this paper, the author tries to shed light on Peirce's definition of metaphor (CP 2.277) in the context of his general theory of signs. According to Peirce's definition, metaphor is not a proposition, but an original iconic (meta-)sign representing a novel sign relation and a novel thought. The author discusses this view taking into account other theories of metaphor, thus arguing the following: 1. that metaphors can and must be interpreted like ordinary signs; 2. that they are inherently independent of linguistic levels (e.g. words) and media (e.g. natural language). The question of metaphor conventionalisation and revitalisation is also taken into account. Peirce's theory proves to be an effective explanation of this phenomenon, and one which could enrich modern literary and cultural studies.