1,721,275 research outputs found
Media reverberations on the ‘red line’: Syria, metaphor and narrative in news media
Full text linkThis study uses a CADS (Corpus Assisted Discourse Studies) approach to identify a series of axes around which degrees of persuasion can be mapped in debates about international affairs. The author investigates how US and UK news media reported Obama’s use of the term ‘red line’ to describe the potential transgression if Syrian leader Assad used chemical weapons on civilians, which Assad then did. The article examines the connotational, argumentational and rhetorical behaviour of ‘red line’ across news media in the period 4–28 September 2013. In a corpus-assisted analysis of ‘red line’, six discoursal factors emerged as persuasive axes at work: leader’s image; ideological positioning, even in mutual intervention; persuasion consistency; factual investigation; factual interpretation reporting; and evaluated metaphor development. These axes proactively work at the crossroads of metaphor and narrative as transformative and mutually interactive agents in discoursal change. The analysis also identified other subcategories of research potential, plus correlated lexis and concepts such as ‘weakness’ vs ‘strength’. The study’s significance is to ground reflection on the function of metaphor and narrative in steering sense making in diplomatic practice and to highlight their pragmatic force and dynamics here in the news genre
“Il potenziale trasformativo della metafora nel Counseling”
No full textLa metafora è stata a lungo indagata come strumento linguistico e concettuale, e utilizzata per promuovere l’esplorazione e la crescita personale. Tuttavia, una parte del suo potenziale sembra essere ancora inutilizzato, un potenziale che, se esplorato potrebbe avere implicazioni molto promettenti per il Counseling.
Data la centralità dell’esperienza corporea per la nozione di metafora concettuale nella teorica cognitive sulla metafora (Johnson, Lakoff, 1980; Lakoff, 1993; Gibbs, 2006) e la relazione tra metafora ed emozione (Kövecses, 2000), questo articolo esplora il ‘potere trasformativo’ della metafora nel Counseling per implementarne il potenziale di applicazione e cambiamento.
Nell’ambito di un più ampio progetto di ricerca e applicazione, verrà qui presentato un modello integrato che adatta le preesistenti procedure di identificazione della metafora nel testo (Steen, 1999, 2010; Ferrari, 2007; Pragglejaz, 2007) a un approccio integrato al Counseling (Rogers, 2003[1951]; Perls, 1951), al fine di sviluppare ulteriori linee guida per processi di esplorazione e trasformazione su base metaforica.
Infine, si farà accenno a uno strumento di feedback che è stato creato in fase sperimentale del progetto per ‘misurare’ dal punto di vista del cliente il potere trasformativo della metafora nei colloqui di Counseling in prospettiva diacronica e suggerire nuove possibili linee di intervento
“The ‘transformative’ power of ‘integrated metaphor’ in counselling: applying and measuring its implemented potential”
Full text linkGiven the centrality of metaphor in the (re)structuring of experience (Burns, 2005; Loue, 2008; Roffman, 2008) and of bodily experience to the notion of conceptual metaphor in cognitive theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 2003[1980]; Lakoff, 1993; Gibbs, 2006), this paper investigates the ‘transformative
power’ of metaphor in ‘talking cure’ practices – Counselling and Psychotherapy – to implement its application potential. An experimental integrated “metaphor-based and -driven” model is presented by adapting textual identification procedures (Steen, 1999; Ferrari, 2007; Pragglejaz,
2007) to an integrated psychological approach (Rogers, 2003 [1951]; Perls,1951) in order to further develop metaphor transformation guidelines. The ‘M’ psycho-test had been created to evaluate the power of metaphor in counselling sessions in a diachronic perspective, providing both qualitative and quantitative data. Some preliminary cases (e.g. ‘the frog’, ‘eating’, ‘the hare’, ‘the desolated land’) are presented, with relative Transformational
score, as examples of test application and metaphor potential. Test evidence has allowed for quantitative and qualitative observations. The evidence
gathered shows: (1) Applying a metaphor-based experimental integrated approach can offer alternative for action in the practice; (2) Measuring the transformational power of metaphor through ‘M’ psycho-test can offer further degree of awareness for both counsellor and client
Metaphor and Persuasion in Strategic Communication: Sustainable Perspectives
No full textThis groundbreaking work adopts an alternative metaphor-based
approach to challenge, unpack and redefine our understanding of
persuasion and strategic communication and the extents to which they
shape political discourse. The book’s theoretical and methodological
grounding in metaphor allows for an alternative perspective on strategic
communication but also a robust discussion of both persuasion
and other kinds of related discursive processes at work in political
communication, including narrative, identification and ideology. The
volume integrates case studies from prominent political discourses, including
those of George W. Bush, Jr., Tony Blair and Barack Obama, to
highlight the crucial role of persuasion management and sustainability
in the public sphere and the ways in which it might inform political
action and change in a positive way. Broadening our perception of the
possibilities of persuasion and strategic communication, this dynamic
volume is key reading for students and scholars in communication
studies, political science, rhetoric and cognitive linguistics
Can metaphors heal (for real)?
No full textStarting from the author’s previous research on metaphor in the counselling practice, this paper addresses the challenge of using metaphor as a transformational self-help tool when dealing with a specific issues related to emotional imbalances. Previous research will be presented in a synthetic way, the problem of scientific reliability will be addressed, and then the case develops starting with metaphorical work as divided between conceptual and linguistic, and ending with discursive practices to foster in order to change your own mood and attitude towards yourself and the world. More specifically, these will be the steps to be addressed: 1) metaphor level – analysis, 2) metaphor level – transformation: new metaphor crafting, at conceptual and word level – performativity: linguistic metaphors production. Metaphor work in combination with concepts and words can be magic, and change your mind toward a different vision. The work can be implemented at 3) discoursal level: fostering alternative discourse strategies that can change your mood and attitude toward the world, so to inform action. Finally, this work suggests going 4) back to the roots: trauma identification and overcoming. This further stage addresses the challenge of deconstructing (destructive) subconscious injunctions and constructing conscious proposals. Eventually, 5) a self-check in self-perception, general well-being, and changed behaviour is proposedsuggested as feedback stage. Self-disclosure will follow, and the paper closes with suggestions for follow-up on further research. This closure wants to open up the horizon of the promising relationship between metaphor and healing
Emotion and Interaction in "Sustainable" Persuasion
No full textStarting from the question of the performative power of language, this paper unpacks and re-defines persuasion in strategic communication (Watzlawick, 1967, Bennet & Entman, 2001, Ferrari, work-in-progress) to introduce an experimental approach for critical persuasion analysis also enhancing the emotional and interactive dimensions. The notion of potential “sustainability” is introduced in persuasion and an alternative metaphor-based perspective is offered stretching “conceptual metaphor” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980, Lakoff 1993) into further integration and persuasion-oriented potential. When dealing primarily with the textual level of discourse, the distinction between persuasive versus manipulative (Van Dijk 2006) bias in a contextual perspective - what is commonly meant as ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ persuasion - can be rather drawn at a theoretical, ‘intentional’ and pragmatic level, and developed in terms of a continuum of “sustainability” (Ferrari, work-in-progress). More specifically, the performative power of language (Austin, 1975) is approached in an interactional perspective, i.e. introducing the biunivocal relation between language and thought. Such an interactional perspective leads to a rethinking of causal-and-effect relationships into the wider concept of “co-incidence” and the introduction of “strategic metaphors”. The concepts of persuasion, strategic communication and persuasion’s sustainability will be (re-)defined in a pragmatic perspective and in relation to the kind of power which is exerted – self-oriented persuasion: “red (queen) power”; other/community oriented persuasion: “white (queen) power” (Ferrari, work-in-progress). Methodologically, the main goal of the proposal is to fill a gap in the study of language about how to detect conceptual structures (metaphors, frames) starting from lexical elements (keywords) in the text, with a new persuasion-oriented focus on potential cognitive and emotional reactions and within a wider consideration of rhetorical-argumentative structures and narratives in a persuasion perspective (Ferrari, 2007, 2011, Steen, 1999). Put differently, the question is how can discourse -- in an interactional, social as well as cognitive account -- contribute to orienting thoughts and ideas, mind framing, choice making, as well as political action and, consequently, world order change. From an analytical perspective, how can bettering the awareness of these processes contribute to a critical persuasion reception? A consistent methodological framework is presented, mainly focused on conceptual metaphor and related tools with an emotional orientation and in a potentially interactional dimension. Some analytical perspectives for the analysis of persuasive strategies in the text will be offered, with a main focus on political discourse. Discussion follows on how may this awareness also proactively translate into improving persuasion skills in the language practice
How bloody is your vessel? ‘Contrastive idiomaticity’ among languages and cultures
Full text linkDealing with idioms, otherwise called templates, fixed or semi-fixed expressions in language in a contrastive perspective can be useful to promote linguistic and cultural awareness, mutual understanding, and inclusion. From a cognitive metaphor perspective, the interface between cultural variation and the universality of specific experiential and cognitive groundings and between motivation and linguistic variation are of great interest. This is especially true when considering linguistic relativism (Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis), embodiment, and emotion (Lakoff 1993; Kövecses 2000; Boroditsky 2001).
In this paper we will compare an idiomatic expression such as “to burst a blood vessel”, commonly used by English speakers when experiencing anger, vs. similar expressions in French, Italian, and Arabic, to explore their potential metaphorical grounding, usage, and emotional impact with a quantitative and qualitative contrastive approach. The degrees to which variation and similarities among the chosen comparable idioms occur is what we call ‘contrastive idiomaticity’. How these languages relate to these idioms’ metaphorical groundings will also be discussed from a cross-cultural persuasion and sustainability perspective
Pharmacological profile of nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor – characterization of novel peptide and non peptide ligands
No full textIl peptide nocicettina/orfanina FQ (N/OFQ) è il ligando endogeno del recettore NOP; questo sistema peptidergico controlla diverse funzioni biologiche sia nel sistema nervoso centrale che in periferia. Lo scopo del presente studio è stata la caratterizzazione farmacologica di nuovi ligandi peptidici e non-peptidici per il recettore NOP. Una serie di composti N/OFQ dimerici e l’antagonista PWT2-UFP-101 sono stati progettati e sintetizzati nella nostra Università, mentre i ligandi non-peptidici investigati provengono da case farmaceutiche. Tutti i composti sono stati valutati in vitro in diversi saggi, incluso il binding recettoriale, il binding GTPγ[35S], la mobilizzazione del calcio intracellulare in cellule esprimenti i recettori ricombinanti umani e proteine G chimeriche, il trasferimento di energia bioluminescente per risonanza (BRET) volto ad indagare l’interazione del recettore con la proteina G e con la β-arrestina 2, e studi su tessuti isolati. Una serie di ligandi dimerici NOP con spacers di lunghezze differenti, sono stati generati usando come farmacoforo il peptide N/OFQ(1-13)NH2. I composti sono stati investigati nel saggio del calcio e nel saggio del vaso deferente di topo (mVD). La dimerizzazione non ha modificato l’attività del farmacoforo peptidico e ha fatto recuperare potenza ai ligandi. Questo effetto sembra dipendere dalla presenza nei composti dimerici di un doppio ”address domain”. L’approccio “peptide welding technology” (PWT) è stato applicato all’antagonista NOP UFP-101. PWT2-UFP-101 è stato valutato nel saggio di BRET per studiare l’interazione NOP/proteina G e nel mVD. La molecola mantiene l’attività antagonista, il comportamento competitivo e la potenza di UFP-101. In vivo, PWT2-UFP-101 è stato testato sui topi nel test del nuoto forzato, dove è stato in grado di esercitare gli stessi effetti antidepressivi di UFP-101, mostrandosi 10 volte più potente. Tuttavia, PWT2-UFP-101, ha inibito l’attività locomotoria spontanea. Gli agonisti non-peptidici Ro 65-6570, Ro 2q, SCH-221510, MCOPPB, AT-403, AT-202 e SCH-486757 sono stati caratterizzati in dettaglio. Essi si sono comportati da agonisti pieni NOP mostrando il seguente ordine di potenza MCOPPB>AT-403>Ro 65-6570=Ro 2q>SCH-221510>AT-202>SCH-486757. Inoltre, tutte le molecole hanno mostrato un certo grado di bias verso la proteina G, tranne AT-403 che si è comportato come agonista non-bias. MCOPPB e AT-403 sono risultati i composti più potenti e selettivi sia sui recettori NOP umani che murini. Cinque agonisti parziali NOP AT non-peptidici sono stati caratterizzati e hanno mostrato elevata affinità per il recettore NOP comportandosi come agonisti NOP in tutti i saggi funzionali, mostrando il seguente ordine di potenza AT-127>AT-090>AT-035>AT-004=AT-001. I composti AT si sono comportati da agonisti pieni nel saggio del calcio e nel colon isolato di topo, da agonisti parziali nel saggio di GTPγ[35S] e nel saggio di BRET. È interessante notare che AT-090 e AT-127, si sono comportati da agonisti non-bias e hanno mostrato elevata selettività per il recettore NOP rispetto a Ro 65-6570 sui recettori nativi murini. Infine, l’antagonista non-peptidico AT-076 è stato caratterizzato sui recettori NOP e oppioidi nel saggio del calcio e nei saggi del vaso deferente di topo e ileo di cavia stimolati elettricamente. Sui recettori ricombinanti umani, AT-076 agisce da antagonista con il seguente ordine di potenza: kappa>>mu>>delta=NOP. La moderata potenza di AT-076 sul recettore mu e la sua bassa potenza sui recettori NOP e delta sono stati confermati nei saggi sui tessuti isolati. Questi risultati suggeriscono che AT-076 sia un antagonista kappa selettivo. In conclusione, la presente tesi ha indagato in modo dettagliato il profilo farmacologico di diversi ligandi peptidici e non-peptidici per il recettore NOP, fornendo alla comunità scientifica nuovi strumenti utili per indagare il potenziale terapeutico del recettore NOP.Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the endogenous ligand of the N/OFQ peptide receptor (NOP) and this peptidergic system controls several biological functions in the central nervous system as well as in the periphery. The aim of the present study was the pharmacological characterization of novel peptide and non-peptide NOP ligands. A series of N/OFQ dimeric compounds and the antagonist PWT2-UFP-101 were designed and synthesized in our University while non-peptide NOP ligands were from pharmaceutical companies. All compounds were evaluated in vitro in several assays including receptor binding, stimulated GTPγ[35S] binding, calcium mobilization studies performed in cells co-expressing the human recombinant receptors and chimeric G-proteins, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) experiments investigating receptor interaction with G protein and β-arrestin 2, and bioassay studies in isolated tissues. A series of dimeric NOP ligands with spacers of different lengths were generated using as peptide pharmacophore N/OFQ(1-13)NH2 and were pharmacologically investigated in a calcium mobilization assay and in the mouse vas deferens bioassay (mVD). Results demonstrated that dimerization did not modify the pharmacological activity of peptide pharmacophore. Moreover, when dimeric compounds were generated with short peptide pharmacophores, dimerization recovered ligand potency. This effect depends on the doubling of the C terminal address sequence in the dimeric ligand. The novel peptide antagonist PWT2-UFP-101 has been evaluated in vitro in a BRET based assay measuring NOP/G protein interaction and in mVD. The molecule maintains the antagonist activity, competitive behavior, and potency of the linear peptide. In vivo, PWT2-UFP-101 has been tested in mice in the forced swimming test where was able to elicit the same antidepressant like effects of UFP-101, being 10 fold more potent. However, PWT2-UFP-101, inhibited spontaneous locomotor activity. The non-peptide NOP agonists Ro 65-6570, Ro 2q, SCH-221510, MCOPPB, AT-403, AT-202 and SCH-486757 have been pharmacologically characterized and compared. All compounds behaved as full NOP agonists consistently showing the following rank order of potency MCOPPB>AT-403>Ro 65-6570=Ro 2q>SCH-221510>AT-202>SCH-486757. Moreover, all molecules displayed some degree of G protein biased agonism with the exception of AT-403 that behaved as an unbiased agonist. MCOPPB and AT-403 displayed the highest potency associated to the highest selectivity both at human and murine NOP receptors. A series of five AT non-peptide NOP partial agonists were also characterized. AT compounds displayed high NOP affinity and behaved as NOP agonists in all the functional assays consistently showing the following rank order of potency AT-127>AT-090>AT-035>AT-004=AT-001. AT compounds behaved as NOP full agonists in the calcium mobilization and mouse colon assays and as partial agonists in the GTPγ[35S] and BRET assays. Interestingly AT-090 and AT-127, behaved as an unbiased agonists and displayed higher NOP selectivity than Ro 65-6570 at native mouse receptors. Finally, the non-peptide antagonist AT-076 was pharmacologically characterized in vitro at NOP and opioid receptors in the calcium mobilization assay and in the electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens and guinea pig ileum. At human recombinant receptors, AT-076 acts as antagonist with the following rank order of potency: kappa>>mu>>delta=NOP. The moderate potency of AT-076 at mu receptor and its very low potency at NOP and delta receptor has been confirmed in bioassay studies. These results suggest that AT-076 should be classified as a rather selective kappa antagonist. In conclusion, the present thesis investigated in great detail the pharmacological profile of several peptide and non-peptide ligands for the NOP receptor, thus providing to the scientific community novel tools useful for investigating the therapeutic potential of the NOP receptor
La metreleptina migliora la sensibilità insulinica indipendentemente dall’introito calorico nei pazienti lipodistrofici
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