108 – Unconventional Metaphors in English as a Lingua Franca

Metaphors accompany us in everyday life, although they are mostly elusive. Yet, when used in unconventional ways, such as in the expression “English Philology is just a bubble”, they remind us of their presence. But what aspects distinguish unconventional from conventional metaphors? To answer this question, Sebastian Malinowski conducted a survey in which 160 non-native and native English speakers using English as a lingua franca (a common language) participated. The participants were encouraged to interpret different metaphorical expressions. In our interview, Sebastian describes the characteristics of unconventional metaphors, and he explains why some of the results of his study should encourage non-native English speakers to be more confident in their language skills. Sebastian Malinowskis’s doctoral thesis can be downloaded from DiVA: “English Philology is just a Bubble” : Unconventional Metaphors in English as a Lingua Franca