Internet Metaphors: a Cross-Linguistic Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to discuss whether there is any connection between the understanding of a metaphorical concept which emerged in a foreign language and the linguistic means, e.g. loan-translation, loanword, etc., through which this concept is verbalized in other linguistic communities. It is argued that website cannot be translated into German as Netzort (website), because website as it is understood by speakers of German is not a place on the Internet, as the English metaphor seems to suggest, but a collection of connected web-pages. Similarly, firewall is not a wall designed to prevent the spread of fire, but a software product that protects against hackers and other malicious intruders.