METAPHOR AND SECONDARY TERM FORMATION

Abstract

The thrust of the following paper is the idea that the metaphorical process can provide ideal conditions for translating certain terms that already have a metaphorical basis in their source language, provided that the metaphor in question is shared by both language communities. In this regard, the metaphorical process can be ideal for secondary term formation. Metonymy can play a similar facilitating role, but for the purposes of this paper we are keeping to metaphor. But what is secondary term formation? Whereas the meaning of metaphor is largely consensual, at least in general terms, that of secondary term formation remains an insider term for those familiar with the works of Juan Carlos Sager, who developed this concept. By secondary term formation, Sager is alluding to the way concepts conceived and named in one language are named in another language. “Secondary term formation occurs when a new term is created for a known concept […] as a result of knowledge transfer to another linguistic community ” (Sager 1990: 80). In the modern world, where English dominates scientific and technical research, this means

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