Computer Interpretation of Metaphoric Phrases

6Nominal Metaphor

This chapter describes MAP’s interpretation of nominal metaphor, i.e., expressions in which a noun is used metaphorically. While verbal metaphor may be an interesting way to describe a state or action, nominal metaphor is usually more complex, enlightening, entertaining – or insulting. Through the form “x is a y” or “x is the y of z,” images, attitudes and bundles of putative facts are economically conveyed. Teasing out descriptions of these aspects is an important part of MAP’s interpretation processing.

The chapter begins with a description of types and elements of nominal metaphor and the scope of MAP’s processing. This is followed by a section on salience, i.e. what is being highlighted in a metaphor, and its representation ...