Children’s Metaphor Comprehension and Production

Abstract

Th is article demonstrates the results of the educational project "Word Art Awareness, " which was established in some primary schools in a metropolitan environment (Lodz, Poland). Th e aim of the study was to identify 8-9-and 9-10-year-old children's knowledge of the following topic: target domain of the metaphorical mapping (JOY, SADNESS, LOVE, HATRED, FEAR) as well as childlike metaphorical accomplishments related to identifi cation of similarities and diff erences between destination domain and source metaphor domain through the process of educational environment construction. In designed didactical intervention operations, research data resulted from participant observation, focus interview, and children's production analysis (graphical visualization, paired-associate learning tasks and tests of unfi nished tasks). Research fi ndings show children's preferences related to the translation of one metaphor discipline through another one as well as construction strategies related to children's knowledge about the emotional aspect and feelings. Moreover, fi ndings suggest the need for a broader understanding of educational environments in Polish educational culture.