A Study of Using Metaphoric and Beat Gestures with Motion-Based and Non-Motion-Based Metaphors during Retelling Stories

Abstract

In this paper, we classify metaphors into four categories: motion-based metaphors, static space-based metaphors, static object-based metaphors, and static event-based metaphors. Then, a study that investigated the use of gestures with these types of metaphors is reported. The aim was to examine how these types of metaphors are used with metaphoric and beat gestures during the process of re-telling stories. The participants of the study listened to three audio stories. Each story contained two motion-based metaphors, two static space-based metaphors, two static object-based metaphors, and two static event-based metaphors. After listening to each story, they had to retell the stories in front of a camera. The videos were analyzed to determine the number of metaphoric gestures and beat gestures that had been used by participants during the retelling of the stories. The results showed that the highest number of metaphoric gestures had been used with static space-based metaphors. This was followed by motion-based metaphors, static object-based metaphors, and static event-based metaphors, respectively. On the other hand, the highest number of beat gestures was used with static event-based metaphors. These findings indicate that the use of metaphoric gestures and beat gestures accompanying metaphors is highly dependent on the spatial and motoric properties of the base of the metaphors, which supports the idea of embodied metaphor comprehension.

A Study of the Use of Iconic and Metaphoric Gestures with Motion-Based, Static Space-Based, Static Object-Based, and Static Event-Based Statements

“…According to our classification [ 12 ], metaphors are grouped into four categories: (1) motion-based metaphors; (2) static space-based metaphors; (3) static object-based metaphors; (4) static event-based metaphors. In a motion-based metaphor, a static concept, which may be abstract, is described as a motion event [ 13 ].…”

“…We wanted to know if there was any difference or similarity between literal and metaphorical statements in the ways that gestures are used with these statements. To achieve this objective, we build on our previously suggested classification of metaphors [ 12 ]. We extend this classification to literal statements and make a comparison between each category of metaphors and its corresponding literal category.…”

“…In addition, we specifically intended to examine the possible similarity or difference between each category of metaphors and its corresponding category of literal statements in the ways that gestures are used with these statements. Before describing the study’s methodology, we briefly overview our classification of metaphors [ 12 ] and then present a corresponding classification of literal statements. This section will be followed by a brief look at the iconic and metaphoric gestures that are used with literal and metaphorical statements.…”

Understanding perceptual change as a movement in literal and metaphorical sentences

“…Metaphors have been investigated from a variety of perspectives in various disciplines. In cognitive linguistics and psycholinguistics, the conceptual processes in metaphor production and comprehension are studied (e.g., Farsani et al, 2022;Khatin-Zadeh, Farsani et al, 2022;Khatin-Zadeh & Khoshsima, 2021;Negro, 2019;Tsaroucha, 2020). Within the fields related to social and cultural aspects of language, metaphors are investigated as tools for social communication (e.g., Martynyuk & Meleshchenki, 2022;Mohnke et al, 2022).…”

Mechanisms involved in the formation of metaphorical classes within the framework of the class-inclusion model of metaphor comprehension

“…In a metaphorical mapping, Y is used to represent X, although there might be no literal similarity between them. In addition to verbal language, metaphorical expressions can be found in other semiotic systems such as still images, moving pictures (e.g., Forceville, 2007;Stampoulidis, Bolognesi, & Zlatev, 2019;Zlatev & Stampoulidis, 2018) and gestures (e.g., Khatin-Zadeh, Farsani, & Reali, 2022;Kimmel, 2014;Poppi & Kravanja, 2017;Farsani, Lange, & Meaney, 2022).…”