This discussion paper is based on a paper presented at the DeMontfort Symposium in Dublin 2003 and on a subsequent paper for the Journal of Clinical Speech & Language Studies (in press).

Introduction

The use of metaphor is all around us, wherever language is used in whatever form, written or verbal, metaphors can be found. Some metaphors have entered the English language as idioms and now have a universally accepted meaning e.g. a side splitting joke, being two faced, escaping by the skin of your teeth. There is also some evidence that metaphors function differently from other parts of language. Bonnaud et al (2002) found that metaphors have a special status in the semantic memory. But why should metaphor be considered in relation to stammering?

This paper will elaborate the nature of metaphor and explore areas of significance. It will then consider the use of metaphor within the field of stammering and consider ways in which it may be used to inform those who stammer and those interested in stammering.

Define metaphor:

Metaphor is a figure of speech considered by many to be at the core of creativity. It is defined in the Oxford dictionary as: "the application of name or description to something to which it is not literally applicable". Put more simply a metaphor relates something to something else in a way that goes further than other grammatical notions. For example, a simile relates two elements by saying there are similar or alike e.g. I'm going to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee." However, a metaphor goes further either by saying that something IS something else that it could not normally be or by suggesting that something appears, sounds or behaves in the same way as something else e.g. Richard the Lion heart. There is also a sub type of metaphor called personification in which an object or idea is described in human terms:

Applying metaphors to the construction of self

As individuals we are often engaged in using metaphors to describe, explain or elaborate our selves and our experiences to ourselves and others. The experience of fear is one that can often be elaborated very vividly through the use of metaphor: "I was rooted to the spot." "My blood ran cold." At various points in my life people have used metaphors to describe the person they construe me to be; I have been described on different occasions as a chrysalis, a missionary and a goshawk. In order to understand what sense these people have made of me I must temporarily suspend my own elaborations of myself and allow a different understanding to be considered. I must also entertain their particular construction of missionary rather than my own. For example, the idea of being a missionary does not appeal if I construe it as someone who imposes a particular set of beliefs on others irrespective of their own culture, social structures and life style. However, if the construction is about the nature of giving, a willingness to be in the same place as others for a greater good ­ then I am more able to enter into that process as one that validates me.

Use in stammering

Metaphors have also been applied to stammering and people who stammer. Interestingly in the literature there are articles written by those who stammer which frequently contain some of the most memorable metaphors. Jock Carlisle wrote of his "Tangled Tongue" (1985), and Van Riper described the person who stammers as a "giant in chains" (1982). Perhaps the frequently used metaphor for stammering itself is the iceberg described by Joseph Sheehan (1975). Here Sheehan uses the iceberg metaphor to draw attention to the complexity of stammering. On the surface the listener observes the outward signs of stammering but is unaware that under the surface other perhaps more complex and difficult issues lie hidden. It is interesting to note that while the more obvious issues of this metaphor relate to the physical attributes of the iceberg, the surface features, the depth, size and volume, other more subtle features are not openly considered. Perhaps in construing stammering as an iceberg we may include emotional issues of coldness, isolation and consider the impact the dominating structure of the iceberg makes within its environment.

Use of metaphor in therapy to elaborate meaning

Metaphors may have a role to play within the therapeutic process. As Mair (1977) describes:

The iceberg metaphor is frequently used in the clinical setting with those who stammer. Therapists discuss "lowering the water line" as a way of highlighting the need to be more open about stammering generally. Alternatively, therapists may encourage some individuals to work on the more covert aspects of their difficulties, stressing the need to manage the "root" of the stammer or the hidden part of the iceberg in order to achieve more long-term change.

However, as therapy can be a reflective process, we should not ignore the impact of metaphor on the therapist. A person who stammers may introduce me, his therapist, to a metaphor of his situation and this may increase my understanding of the issues involved and the wider issues of stammering as an experience of which I have no person knowledge. One adult who stammered described his experience of therapy and the risks involved in desensitisation and increasing openness as that of Indiana Jones during his search for the Holy Grail. At one point Indiana, emerging from a mountain tunnel, found himself on the edge of a precipice facing a drop of some considerable proportions. In the same way this individual saw himself at a precipice with no sign of the path in front of him. Just as Indiana had done, he described how his therapeutic processes required him to walk out from the precipice not knowing what would happen and to take steps when he could not predict their outcome. As his therapist this image increased my understanding of the threat therapy posed for him and the need to make the process feel as supported and safe as possible.

A therapist's metaphor

If I find the metaphors' of others informative and interesting I wonder if my own metaphors, which speak of me and my construction processes, are of interest of others?

Lets experiment and find out.

I have a metaphor of a therapeutic process with an individual who stammers and it is this:

• Each encounter is new and exciting and the outcomes cannot be predicted
• Creativity is at the heart of the process. There is no set routine or procedure that is carried out with each person. Each encounter generates its own direction.
• There is an overwhelming sense of collaboration. No one person dominates the proceedings and each person has an equal part to play.
• It can be enjoyable and validating when each of the "colours" are seen and valued. It can also be frustrating when there is not a "merging" in the middle and the colours remain separated.

Also I invite you to consider your own metaphor of stammering and/or therapy and let us explore together what they might contribute to our understanding of stammering.

Bonnaud, V., Gil, R. & Ingrand, P. (2002). Metaphorical and non-metaphorical links: a behavioural and ERP study in young and elderly adults. Neurophysiol Clin, 32, 4, 258-268.

Carlisle, J. A. (1985). Tangled Tongue: Living with stutter. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press.

Keats, J. (1795-1821). To Autumn. In The Nation's Favourite Poems. (1998). London: BBC Publications.

Kelly, G.A. (1955). The Psychology of Personal Constructs. New York: Norton

Mair, M. M. (1977). Metaphors for living. In A.W. Landfield (Ed.), The Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. PCT, Lincoln and London: University of Nebraska Press. Oxford Dictionary. (1995). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Sheehan, J.G. (1975). Conflict theory and avoidance-reduction therapy. In J. Eisenson (Ed.), Stuttering: A second symposium. New York: Harper & Row.

Van Riper, C. (1982). The Nature of Stuttering. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

You can post Questions/comments about the above paper to Trudy Stewart before October 22, 2003.