Cultural and Technical Metaphors
Intro
Everyday conversation is riddled with metaphoric analogies. Most often, they go unrealized by the speaker as well as the listener. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines a metaphor as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money)” (Metaphor 1). Metaphors are a quick and simple way of relating a message without divulging unnecessary details that would otherwise cloud the ultimate point. This is especially useful in technically related fields and subjects such as Information System Management (IS). IS is responsible for the management of computers, networking, and data that supports different levels of decisions at different levels of the organizational hierarchy (What is IS? 1). Even as the technical functions of computer systems develop new and detailed complexities, everyday users, not familiar with the ins and outs of their particular system, are able to effectively communicate problems or concerns to trained professionals. Similarly, experts in the Information Technology (IT) field are able to explain to users how to manage their systems using heuristically tested metaphors such as “desktop” and “recycle bin” which have become standard jargon/usage. Just as different fields of study adopt their own list of commonly accepted metaphors, the use of metaphors crosses lines of culture and ethnicity as well.
Body
Common Metaphors
Sitting about 400 miles south of the US mainland is the tiny island of Jamaica. Known for its beautiful beaches and clear waters, Jamaica has become a great vacationing spot. It is also the birthplace...
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In the excerpt from “From the Melting Pot to the Tossed Salad Metaphor: Why Coercive Assimilation Lacks the Flavors Americans Crave” Gloor evaluates several metaphors used to describe the diversity of America, beginning with the most common ideas of the United States being considered either melting pot or a salad bowl. After analyzing both metaphors, it becomes evident that while these ideas sound great, in reality, they are not only a flawed depiction of what America is like but altogether undesirable considering the implications of a “melting pot” or “tossed salad” society. In the text, Gloor brings up a third and new metaphor that symbolizes America as an ethnic stew, but in reality, the stew theory is more accurately wishful thinking than it is an actualized reality. Gloor’s writing piece not only exposes the flaws of the melting pot and tossed salad metaphors, but exemplifies the complexity of our society due to the several moderate inaccuracies of the ethnic stew theory.
Jamaica is a tropical island, located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Around the coastlines are beautiful beaches with crystal clear blue-green water. In some respects, this is the majority of what people know about Jamaica. In this orientation text you will better understand Jamaica’s history, the people who live there, the many different religions, geography, and governments that have ruled the land.
Metaphors, then, are at the heart of understanding the way we view aspects of our culture while we simultaneously build that culture. Umberto Eco stresses that culture is a collective experience. In his view, "there is no such thing as a single mind, un connected to other minds or to their (collective) social cultural constructions" (Cunningham, "MOM" handout). If this is taken as fact, the "social, cultural, historical, and institutional contexts" humans find themselves in contribute to creating their metaphors and in turn, their artifactual worlds. Therefore, the situational context and the metaphors found there are intertwined and must be examined together.
The first of the three challenges I faced was a language barrier. Jamaica is an English speaking country, however, the island has several cultural influences from other countries for example England, France and Spain. These
“Jamaica’s a country of great dichotomy. On the one hand you have a tourist industry with great beaches and resorts, but on the other you have such great poverty and the violence that goes along with that.”(Michael Franti) In this paper, I will talk about the geography, the history of Jamaica, the people that live there now and that lived there in the past, the lifestyle of the society, and the society, like the government and economy.
In the book Metaphors We Live By, authors George Lakoff and Mark Johnson address the traditional philosophic view denouncing metaphor's influence on our world and our selves (ix). Using linguistic and sociological evidence, Lakoff and Johnson claim that figurative language performs essential functions beyond those found in poetry, cliché, and elaborate turns of phrase. Metaphor permeates our daily experiences - not only through systems of language, but also in terms of the way we think and act. The key to understanding a metaphor's effect on behavior, relationships, and how we make sense of our environment, can be found in the way humans use metaphorical language. To appreciate the affects of figurative language over even the most mundane details of our daily activity, it is necessary to define the term, "metaphor" and explain its role in defining the thoughts and actions that structure our conceptual system.
The road goes ever on and on. Down from the door from where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone and I must follow it if I can. Pursuing it on weary feet until I joins some larger way where many paths and errands meet and whether then I cannot say.
Jamaica is a small island but it is very beautiful. Jamaica is located approximately 480 miles south of Florida Coast, the caribbean island. Jamaica is slightly smaller
Temple Grandin uses many metaphors to explain her way of thinking. She uses terms like “web browser,” “tape recorder,” and “computer.” She says, “I hypothesize that the frontal cortex of my brain is the operator and the rest of my brain is the computer” (Grandin 404). This is the perfect example of her
A metaphor can be defined as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison” (dictionary.com). We use metaphors in our everyday language more than most people realize. But metaphors are also vital in the field of Information Systems, especially in the design of user interfaces. To the “Average Joes” of the world, or those people who have difficulty understanding the complicated concepts of digital storage, information transmission, and processing, metaphors provide them with relevant concepts to which they can easily relate. Therefore, metaphors allow a significantly larger amount of the worldly population to use many of the common technologies that we take for granted today.
The mind-blowing range of soft sandy beaches, delightful landscapes, exceptional shoreline and remarkable hospitality on Caribbean Sea, Barbados is eminent for a pleasure of beach holidays in Caribbean region and quite a favourite escape for travellers from UK and other parts of Europe. The extraordinary beach extravaganza and beyond belief range of sightseeing along with kind locals and lively lifestyle makes this breathtaking island more amusing and enjoyable on Caribbean holidays.
The country of Jamaica is a West Indian island located near the center of the Caribbean Sea. It is among the group of islands that comprises the Greater Antilles and is the largest of the English-speaking islands in the region. Jamaica has an area of 4,411 square miles and is 146 miles long. It is divided into
Both Jamaica and the U. S have their strong suites but in terms of where is better for a child to grow up the United States is the better candidate. A good government is the key to having a successful country and the U.S has that. The health care system is much more reasonable and allows many more people to be covered. Plus the educational system is superb. So to ensure that a child grows up in the best possible environment with the best possible access to resources they may need throughout life, should be raised in a stable country such at the United States of
Jamaica is one of the three islands in the Northern Caribbean forming the Greater Antilles. It's the largest English-speaking country in the Caribbean Sea, and stretches 146 miles from east to west. The country's name is derived from an Aarawak word “Xaymaca", meaning "land of wood and water". Jamaica has one of the richest and most varied landscapes in the region. The center of the island is mostly mountainous and heavily wooded, spotted occasionally with small mining towns and villages, while the land is low along the coast, providing for some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
The beautiful, radiant and vibrant island that goes by the name of Jamaica is located on the Windward region of the Caribbean. It is one of the best place to be on earth. Our motto “Out of Many One People”, symbolizes the vast cultures and races that make up this beautiful island. Jamaica the land I love, lives on in each individual and leaves a positive impact even with just one visit or no visit at all. In this essay I will elaborate on the various cultures that build up the island, the different attractions the country has to offer and an overview of the unique lifestyle of Jamaicans.