What Do You Think ? Metaphor in Thought and Communication Domains in American Sign Language

Signed languages researchers who apply the principals of cognitive linguistics to their work on metaphor are finding what appear to be universal metaphors, such as MIND IS A CONTAINER and IDEAS ARE OBJECTS. Their research is also exemplifying differences that reflect the cultural realities of their respective countries. This article explores similarities and differences found in metaphorical domains of thought and communication in several signed languages. It demonstrates that culture plays a powerful role in the nonequivalencies of metaphorical language creation regardless of the modality–signed or spoken.