The Metaphor Program is to "reveal the underlying beliefs and world-views of members of a culture" by examining the subtle differences in their choice of metaphors. It will pluck figures of speech from vast numbers of statements by Farsi, Russian, Spanish and English speakers, label them with precise meanings, and store all this in a computerised "metaphor repository".
Analysts would then be able to compare real-life statements against the database to predict the intentions of people who may represent a threat to the US or who are involved in international conflicts.
The project chief, suggested words used by Israelis and Palestinians to describe each other, and by Indians and Pakistanis to describe Britain, could be analysed. As an example, "you have to find your own way" is neutral and associated with a journey, she said, while "you have to fight for what you want" is negative and associated with a struggle.
You don't say? I'd never have worked that out.
More of this shite at TTel
No comments:
Post a Comment