Structural, orientational, ontological conceptual metaphors and implications for language teaching

Abstract

Language expressions in most languages are largely shaped by conceptual metaphors. However, the underlying metaphor that can help language learners better understand language expressions is often taken for granted. This article discusses how structural, orientation, ontological conceptual metaphors work in forming new language expressions or idioms. From this insight, several suggestions for EFL classes are made.

Keywords

• conceptual metaphor theory
• efl classes
• ontological metaphor
• orientational metaphor
• structural metaphor.