On the development of metaphoric competence (Potentials in metaphors of space)

Abstract

This paper argues for the importance of developing the metaphoric competence of language learners, emphasizing that such endeavors must be integrated into classroom practices from the early stages of teaching. The paper presents, as possible sample implementation plans, potential ways to teach with this in mind two of the linguistic means that serve to represent spatial relations in Hungarian: the metaphors of CONTAINER (linked to the inessive ending) and those of PATH/SURFACE (originating in the superessive case), for the A1 and A2 levels. The paper demonstrates how these metaphors engage – as a network – in the temporal location of events, in the creation of verbal meaning, including that of verbs with a verbal particle, and in the semantic-syntactic formation of verbal argument structure.