Cultural and Technical Metaphors

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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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“Metaphor”. Merriam- Webster's Online Dictionary. 2006-2007. Merriam-Webster.com. 4 June 2007.

“Rasta/Patios Jamaican Phrases and Proverbs”. 15 June 1997. Croal Islands Associates. 4 June 2007.

“René Descartes”. Wekepedia.com. 4 June 2007. Wekemedia Foundation Inc. 5 June 2007.

“Songs of Freedom: The Music of Bob Marley as Transformative Education”. 2005. ReligiousEducation.net. 4 June 2007.

“What is IS?”. Webopedia.com. 24 April 2007. Internet.com. 9 June 2007.

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