A emergência de metáforas na fala sobre violência urbana: uma análise cognitivo-discursiva

Abstract

The discourse can be seen as a complex dynamic system, which adapts itself according to contextual needs. Thus, the metaphors in the discourse seem to emerge out of a conceptual negotiation along the conversational interaction. Cameron (2003, 2007, 2008) calls these types of metaphors systematic, since they permeate different talks, signaling a collaborative construction. The emergence of these metaphors means a temporary stability, due to the interaction between different agents: pragmatic, social, cultural, historical and cognitive. However, Cameron does not specify which cognitive elements could have been used to emerge these stabilizations. This research suggests the dynamic discursive system is also made of conceptual schematic structures as a result of embodied basic experiences common to every person (or at least to the vast majority): the image and kinesthetic schemas (LAKOFF, 1987; JOHNSON, 1987) and conceptual primary metaphors (GRADY, 1997). Thus, it is understood that systematic metaphors do not emerge only from discourse factors, but also from cognition, in double directionality (discourse-cognition and vice-versa). In order to confirm this thought, it was used the focal group investigation technique. The group was made of college students who talked about urban violence. The discourse was recorded in audio and video, then transcribed according to the procedures listed by Cameron et al. (2009). The research is qualitative, so the data analysis is guided by the following theoretical references: Primary Metaphor Integrated Theory (LAKOFF & JOHNSON, 1999), image and kinesthetic schemas (LAKOFF, 1987; JOHNSON, 1987; LAKOFF & JOHNSON, 1999), Complex Adaptive Dynamic System Theory and the metaphor-led discourse analysis approach (CAMERON, 2003, 2007, 2008; CAMERON ET AL., 2009, CAMERON & MASLEN, 2010). The systematic metaphors identified in the data were matched to schemas and primary metaphors, inferring then the emergence of figurative language in the discourse occurs in two ways. Furthermore, schemas and primary metaphors seem to be some of the cognitive agents present in those emergences, and the discourse topics are at least one of the agents which motivate the use of certain schemas and primary metaphors instead of others.