Metaphor in Early Monolingual and Bilingual Development
Dorota Gaskins, Ludovica SerratriceAims:
This conceptual review of the recent literature on metaphor acquisition aims to highlight the directions for future impact-oriented work with young monolingual and bilingual children.
Approach:
The latest work in metaphor development is discussed in light of two main issues which need addressing through empirical research: (a) the need for longitudinal studies which can capture metaphor learning as a continuous and dynamic process, and (b) the need for studies in metaphor acquisition in early bilingualism.
Data and analysis:
The questions about metaphor acquisition are positioned within broader debates on the topic, but the main focus falls on metaphor studies conducted in the last 6 years.
Conclusions:
Recent studies with monolingual children show that metaphor abilities emerge early and at a varied pace, but the diverse methods these studies adopt cannot capture the exact onset of metaphor use in the broader context of bilingual development and in relation to developing cognitive skills. To better understand metaphor use in the early years and to leverage its educational potential, we should ask (a) how bilingual pre-schoolers acquire metaphors, (b) how mono- and bilingual children move from one stage of metaphor acquisition to the next, (c) how verbal and verbal-cognitive skills are related to metaphor acquisition over time, and (d) how metaphor processing and comprehension are related with metaphor production.
Originality:
The novelty of this article lies in its comprehensive approach to recent developments. It brings together findings from various metaphor studies that differ in their theoretical and methodological orientations. This makes it possible to start evaluating the value of the current trends in child metaphor research and to highlight areas for future study.
Significance:
The article demonstrates how theories can be reconciled, how methods can be adapted, and what areas of metaphor research should be pursued to create societal impact.