Learning to Write

Probably the most repeated synonym for the word Fungible, is "interchangeable," followed closely by "substitutable," but there are some subtle differences in connotations (I think). This entry is an attempt to clarify, at least a little bit, just what the word fungible means.

As always, with writing, it's important to emphasize that I'm NOT an expert by any stretch. I'm just a novice, trying to muddle through these issues, and to invite corrections or comments, both from "real" writers, as well as those who, like me, are just trying to get better.

And so too, it would seem, are our thoughts...

• Metaphoric intelligence and foreign language learning - Jeannette Littlemore "Metaphor is so pervasive in language that it would be impossible for a person to speak without using metaphor at some point, whether knowingly or not."



• The Contemporary Theory of Metaphor - Lakoff, G.
  "...a great many common concepts like causation and purpose are metaphorical..."



• Cognitive linguistics - Terri Eynon
  "Until relatively recently it was assumed that it must be possible to provide an accurate, objective (i.e. literal) description of reality for the purpose of scientific advancement. For the modernist, metaphors characterized rhetoric, not scientific discourse. "



• Cognitive Linguistics - George Lakoff
  "It was discovered in the late 1970's that the mind contains an enormous system of general conceptual metaphors -- ways of understanding relatively abstract concepts in terms of those that are more concrete."



• Metaphor - a Working Concept - Olle Torgny
  "On the other hand, abstract products and services, computer software, medication, electronics and similar phenomena has an ”inner structure” that is dependent on specific domain knowledge or that even is incomprehensible for experts. In this case the properties of the product (object, service, concept) has to be conveyed by something else. The more complicated and abstract this message is, the better suited is the use of metaphor."



• Oral Metaphor Construct (OMC) - Asa M. Stepak !
  This guy has a very interesting theory. It is also relatable at a lower abstract level than most. That is, it may provide implementable understanding about neural networks at the signaling level, where neural-network constructs live. For now this is just an interesting aside I found while researching. It (for me at least) merits a closer look.



• Standford U. Lecture: Analogy as the Core of Cognition - Douglas Hofstadter
  A fairly decent talk on a very important subject.




• Related Blog Entries:


• Synaesthesia: Not a mental anomaly, a mental characteristic
  A blog entry here about syneasthesis specifically and Dr. Vilayanur Ramachandran's theory that the underlying causes of syneasthesia are the same mechanisms responsible for our ability to think in metaphor and analogy.
  
  
• Simile, Metaphor, Analogy: Differences and Similarities
  A blog entry here that is mostly about unambiguously defining these terms for use in writing. It should help to in this area to clarify the definitions of these terms, which are often misunderstood, or used ambiguously.
  
  

The Elephants of Style : A Trunkload of Tips on the Big Issues and Gray Areas of Contemporary American English — For those of us who have trouble blindly accepting short declarative rules about grammar and style; here's a guy who doesn't just relate HIS positions on the subject, he explains WHY he holds those positions. Within this framework you will learn that many of the grammar-rules, which are often presented as hard facts by others, are actually quite squishy. This author is not so arrogant as to think he can simply relate his opinions as a list of facts. Instead, he feels the need to justify his opinions. In explaining his justification for a given style-rule, he enlightens us, and gives us the understanding we need to draw our own conclusions. Those conclusions almost always agree with his, but with the added understanding comes the confidence to break rules we normally agree with, if that's what the situation calls for... ...Or should I have said: "if it is that for which the situation calls"

Overview

This article will explore similes, analogies, and metaphors, and attempt to clarify exactly what they are and how they differ from one another. I've searched for these answers on the web and found many differing explanations. Some are very good and self-evident, while others tend to be inconsistent or ambiguous. This article is my attempt to reconcile them, and come up with an understanding that is both non-ambiguous, and at least self-consistent.

The brain mechanisms underlying metaphor and analogy are fast becoming an important part of our neurological understanding of the connections between the brain and the mind. For this reason alone, it seems fairly important to have firm definitions for these terms that are precise, unambiguous, and self-consistent.


Please Note: I am NOT a writer by any stretch of the word, and do NOT claim any expertise in, or special passion for, the art of writing. This blog-entry is partially part of my attempts to sort through all the advice that's out there, and become a better writer. With that in mind, if you are an actual writer, and you see bad mistakes here, know that I would be grateful for any and all good-willed advice you may wish to share.

Now that that's out of the way, lets get on with the discussion.

. . . . . . .
Contents

• Overview

• Simile
• Metaphor
• Analogy

• Update / Clarification (New!)

• Implied or Tacit Analogies Within Similes
• One Simile Many Meanings
• More About the Schrödinger's Cat Angle

• Analogies With More Than Two Relationships?
• Do Analogies Always Underlie Similes... Really?

• Do Metaphors Require Language? (New!)

• Sources & Resources

Hello:

For most of my life, I have been--at best--a barely functional writer. In youth I thought I was oh so clever, but as age stripped away the delusions of youth, it became increasingly clear that there was probably a LOT about writing that I simply didn't understand. For the longest time, I just didn't have the passion for it to care that much.

Recently though, I have been involved in a project that required me to grow out of being a poor writer, and become an "adequate writer". In this section, I will attempt to document this ongoing learning process, at least, as well as someone who's learning to be an adequate writer can.

This will also be a good place to relate some of the tools, and resources which I have found helpful in this quest. There may be others out there in similar situations, who may be deciding it's time for some improvement.

As always, it is also helpful to share what we think we know, with the hopes that if we are wrong, somebody of understanding, and good will might take pity, and correct us.


-djr