Using deliberate metaphor in discourse: Native vs. non-native text production

This study explores the occurrence of developmental patterns in the use of metaphors by native and non-native speakers of Spanish in discourse. Underlying this analysis is the assumption that intentionally using figurative language – and thus engaging a cross-domain mapping from a source to a target domain – is a communicative choice on the part of the speaker-writer. Taking into account the universality, and creativity of metaphor, this study aims to determine the effect of age, L2 proficiency level, discourse genre and modality of production in the production of deliberate metaphorical expressions by non-native vs. native Spanish speakers. For this purpose, we analyze the oral and written expository and narrative texts produced by 30 native and 47 non-native speakers (L1= Arabic, Chinese) of Spanish of three different age groups (grade-school, junior-high, and university students). The results of the study provide a developmental framework of the production of deliberate metaphor in discourse. Even though the results of the study do not show a significant proficiency development framework for the production of metaphor in discourse, we offer valuable insights into how creativity and transfer have an impact on the use of metaphors in non-native discourse.