MetNet (Metapor-Net) is a cross-disciplinary research network, which is physically anchored at ISK in Slagelse, but open to anyone at SDU with similar interests. We meet once a month and discuss selected texts on metaphors or analyse selected empirical examples and/or discuss topics of relevance to the members.
MetNet is characterised by theoretical plurality combined with a common interest in metaphor. The members come from different theoretical backgrounds – such as cognitive linguistics, distributed cognition, social semiotics, multimodality, functional linguistics, dialogism, rhetoric and organisational studies – and therefore, no specific theoretical direction can claim a privileged status within the group. Rather, MetNet is defined by its commitment to different empirical approaches to the study of metaphor. What connects the members of MetNet is a common interest in metaphors as a phenomenon – not a particular theoretical or methodological approach. In that, there is the recognition of metaphors as so complex that no specific approach can cover all relevant aspects at the same time. Therefore, we are interested in investigating metaphors as more than a purely linguistic phenomenon. Metaphors are also embodied, systemic, visual, emotional, interactional, neuro-biological, cultural, historical, political and philosophical, and this demands openness towards different approaches.
Even though conceptual (cognitive) metaphor theory – as the most influential metaphor theory in the past thirty years - is the initial point of departure for the members of the network the ambition for MetNet is to be in contact with and contribute to new international trends and developments within the field. Therefore we have close contact to the internationally recognized association for metaphor research, RaAM (The Association for Researching and Applying Metaphor), which already has resulted in an international seminar, New Directions in Metaphor Research, held at Campus Slagelse in the autumn 2013.