ЛИНГВОСЕМИОТИЧЕСКИЙ ПОДХОД К ИЗУЧЕНИЮ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЙ МЕТАФОРЫ (НА МАТЕРИАЛЕ МЕДИЦИНСКОГО ДИСКУРСА)

Our linguosemiotical approach to the study of metaphor concerns the description of the existence of this phenomenon as a product of natural and artificial semiosis. On the one hand, it seems to us, that the investigated phenomenon is a part of the language space, objectifying peculiarities of identification and functioning of any linguistic unit in the speech interaction. On the other hand, it is a part of a semiotic continuum, performing interaction of mental space and speech activity of the individual in the process of communication. In our work under natural semiosis is understood as a natural process of signification, i.e. sign representation of information and the use of signs of natural origin in a certain semiotic space. As a part of the natural semiosis metaphor is a universal semiotic-cognitive connector, linking the area of perception with the surrounding reality display. We emphasize that the implementation of the semiotic potential of a metaphor is due to the active use of the analytical capabilities of metaphorization, manifesting cognitive operations products on the linguistic level [1], [2].

Under artificial semiosis we understand the process of cultural signification, i.e. sign representation of information and the use of signs in the semiotic space of the cultural and social life. In this formulation of the problem metaphor as a linguistic phenomenon acquires the status of semiotic space where cultural semes lexicalize. We emphasize that in the artificial semiosis by means of the cultural code, manifested primarily with the help of the natural language, a secondary valuation of the phenomenon under study is performed.

Considering the professional metaphor as a mental being, we assume that first of all it is a cognitive guide in professional semiotic continuum, which universality of perception is based on its thingness and its heuristic potential. The outer shape (structural conformity) of professional metaphor is the same for various linguocultures, at the same time, it is fairly stereotyped for every separate culture. At the same time, being a verbal representation of pragmatically recycled individual and collective knowledge in professional semiotic continuum, and through the processes of metaphorization, the analyzed phenomenon becomes a conventional substitute for professional concepts of linguistic meaning which is hiding social practice and transformed and crystallized activity.

Metaphors semiotize professional situations, combining prognostic, suggestive and actional aspects ensuring its exterior identification within the continuum. At the same time the phenomenon under study objectifies the existing knowledge of the world by comparing the "ready-made" meanings for deciphering the cultural code and the associative representation caused by them, as well as forming the starting point of all communication grammar.

The use of a professional metaphor, which is the starting point of communicative interaction, pursues, in our opinion, the following objectives:

-  employee orientation (the individual is easier to understand and interpret the text in writing form);

- "prompt"  for  properties of the missing parts of the professional phenomenon description by means of interpolation and extrapolation;

- possibility to avoid specifying the accompanying elements in academic sources based on the cultural or professional knowledge;

- implementation of professional manipulation, naturally arising from the professional metaphor itself, without further consultation;

- formation of psychological comfort while recognizing something familiar.

These assumptions make the overall concept of our study.

To verify our assumptions we have carried out a number of experiments using the technique of subjective definitions. However, applying the methods of psycholinguistic research, we noted some narrow registrative description of professional metaphor. According to the proposed concept, a professional metaphor is a unit that has both meaning and reference. In this context, the differentiation of professional displays of metaphor in spoken and written communicative space, objectifying the link of live language with a particular professional area, seems to be of great importance. Thus, the semiotic potential of professional metaphor demands involvement of other methods of empirical study. In this connection, we developed a nomothetic methodology and conducted a natural experiment in two private clinics of Boston and New, in two private clinics of Paris and Lyon and two hospitals of Kursk. Our experimental group consisted of test subjects aged 34 to 56, in the amount of 185 people for the first part of the experiment, and  240 people for the second. Total number of received subjective definitions is 7585; total number decrypted in the second part of the empirical study of texts is 470 units, scripts generated - 470, medical metaphors registered - 276 and 227 units of subjective definitions.

During the psycholinguistic experiment we carried out the test of the hypothesis of research in terms of perception and understanding of professional metaphor by specialists and non-specialists, selection of national and cultural features of the representation of live knowledge through the investigated phenomenon, clarification of the universality of its outer form (structural matching) for different linguocultures and manifestation of stereotyped characteristics for each individual culture.

Upon the results of the first part of the empirical research we came to the following conclusions:

1. In the linguistic field the professional metaphor is represented as a result of  linguistic reality and conceptual conflict correlation, expressed in a specific form by a particular linguistic unit. Depending on contextual localization the linguistic form of the researched phenomenon is able to reduce itself to abbreviation, retaining metaphorical essence and integrity of perceived professional phenomena. E.g:  «HHH - high, hot and hell of a lot (enema)», «ART - Assuming Room Temperature (dying)», «DRT - Dead Right There», «DBI - Dirt Bag Index - multiply the number of tattoos by the number of missing teeth to give an estimate of the number of days since the patient last bathed»; «P.P.H. - «(ne) passera pas l’hiver», «Status Hispanicus».

2. Professional metaphors, occurring in academic speech of specialists, represent the theoretical knowledge of professional objects and phenomena. However this knowledge is actualized in them not in logical and rational way, but metaphorically by creating of vivid, memorable image of professional concept. The meaning of professional metaphor is of phenomenological character and is formed by a speaker in particular professional-communicative situation, taking into account the peculiarities of this situation. E.g: ««soufflé» (суфле) - a patient who fell down from height , «оld-timer's disease» - Alzheimer disease; «dowager's hump» – osteoporosis, «hole in one» - a gunshot wound in the mouth or «deep fry» - cobalt radiation therapy.

3. The peculiarity of professional metaphor functioning in individual consciousness (subconsciousness) depends first of all not on metaphor characteristics as a language element, but on bearer's interaction with surroundings. E.g: «le mauvais stress».

Upon the results of the second part of the experimental research the following conclusions were drawn:

- The professional metaphor is an extremely complicated phenomenon, based on the resulting synthesis of individual, cultural and professional description practices.

- In semiotic aspect the professional metaphor is a unit of professional discourse, complicating the system of internal organization of the later. Meanwhile along with sustained professional sense, the metaphor has a lot of flexible individual senses subject not to reconstruction  but the production from the side of  receiver based on spontaneous generalization. For example: «трёп» (Aflutter), «консервы» (a patient in the hospital (usually surgery) on conservative treatment), «уши» (phonendoscope),  «телепузик» (a patient with severe jaundice and ascites), «челюскинцы» (patients of the department of maxillofacial surgery), «хорёк» (a person who called an ambulance without any reason), «непруха» (ileus), «НЛО» (неподвижно лежащий пациент; a patient lying motionless; often the patients in a coma). We believe that it is explained not only by processes peculiarities, running in descriptive practice, but it is also connected with the stages of vivid metaphor forming (representing the whole of linguistic and extralinguistic interactions), similar to the stages of natural language: from comprehension to expression, from specific to abstract, from explicit to implicit.

- Professional metaphors fix the national-specific realities in the language. Being the representation of live knowledge, medical metaphor has the universal external form (structural conformity) for different linguocultures. However, in identifying reference the stereotypic features separate cultures appear. E.g: «Dr. Feelgood» (доктор Чувствуй себя хорошо) - a doctor who prescribes drugs without thinking, «blade» (лезвие) - an imperturbable surgeon, «очкарик» - an ophthalmologist, «le cycliste panique» (панический велосипедист) - patient of trauma unit, «rear admiral» (тыловой адмирал) - a proctologist; «plumber» (водопроводчик) – a urologist, «аlbatross» - chronically ill patient who is afraid to part with the doctor, leaving the health care facility.

The study reached the following conclusions:

1) Specificity of functioning of medical metaphors in the individual consciousness (sub consciousness), first of all, depends not on characteristics of metaphor as a language unit but on the interaction of the native speaker with the world around him.

2) In the language field professional metaphor appears as the result of correlation of the linguistic reality and conceptual conflict, expressed in a specific form with the specific linguistic unit.

3) The textual signification of the medical metaphor is based on the manifestation of the dynamic nature of semiosis, taking into account the structuring of the language, that changes during the initial valuation of textual semiotic reality.

4) The specificity of cognitive metaphor, functioning in the field of professional medical communication, is to broadcast the special and ordinary knowledge in their interaction.

5) In the semiotic aspect the medical metaphor is known as a unit of professional discourse, complicating the system of internal organization of the last.

6) The process of metaphorisation of the medical discourse reflects the interaction of humans with the environment, the process of learning and the way it transforms the reality, manifested in the communicative act.

7) For the subject of the practice interpretational dualism is typical, that is manifested in the utterance and is considered to be, on the one hand, the result of cognitive processing of perceived information, and on the other - a manifestation of his (the subject’s), personal characteristics, that are updated in the communicative act.

8) Based on the proposed view a very concrete experience was taken to identify "prophilizations" of the medical metaphor and also to form some fake concepts which are based on the studied phenomenon.

9) The professional metaphors, mentioned in the researchers’ speeches, show the theoretical knowledge about professional objects and notions. However, this knowledge is actualized in them not in the logical, rational way, but metaphorically, through the creation of vivid, memorable images of professional concepts.

10) In the process of formation of the individual references the narrowing of the extensional definitions of the sign takes place, associated with the main numbers from falling within the scope of the sign subject referents.

11) As a part of the identifying reference, a “targeted metaphoric nomination” is carried out, which includes the classification of subjects and objects of reality, which can, probably, be described as the process of categorical classification.

12) The paradox of the professional metaphor appears within cultural practice, which is objectified in the twinkling metaphor sign.

13) Kinematics of the cultural semiotic continuum contributes to the compilation of objective space and the practice of the subject-in-process, forming in the context of treated mental representations empirical basis indicating stereotypes.

14) In contrast to the individual and cultural indicating practices, for the professional one it is typical, above all, the formation of the final logical interpretation in the process of textual signification in the implementation of the semiotic process of triadic interaction of reprezentment, object of the sign and the Speaker/Observer.

15) The description of the  professional reality using professional metaphors in the linguistic field acquires the following forms of formal structures (used in the documents when specifying diagnosis) along with informal structures that are used mainly in the informal communication of health workers.

16) Professional metaphors fix in the language national-specific realities.

Thus, the hypothesis of the research we have put forward was confirmed. In addition, we found evidence to our assumptions about:

(1) the mediative role of professional metaphors in the written professional communication, providing the output of an individual to its world seeing, which is formed in the multidimensional and versatile personal experience, specific to the context and the degree of imagery, deliberately created to flesh out syndrome, symptom or condition of the patient and specifically fixed by the  health professionals - participants of the communication. Conceptual content of the medical metaphor is based on the integrative interaction of the categories, signs and symptoms manifested in their language representation. Such interpretation of the specific of the medical metaphor suggests the presence of semantic variation in the context of the triad “Man - culture - professional area”. Implementation of professional interaction in the writing of the medical workers depends on their linguistic and professional competence.

(2) determinants of professional metaphor in verbal professional communication signifying practices (individual, cultural and professional) taking into account the anthropological factor. Professional metaphor in speech, viewing as a verbal representation of pragmatically recycled professional knowledge, allows the subject-in-process to restructure the professional continuum, depending on the communicative and professional situation, social and communicative status of the addresser and the addressee, the existing relationship between them. Professional metaphor captures the results of the procedural handling of the professional information of the Speaker and contributes to its development during the interpretation of the statements by the Observer.

To summarize, we note that a professional metaphor is a complex non-elementary integrative system including a semiotic, cognitive and linguistic components that ensure its significance. Linguistic components combine concept and an acoustic image of the metaphor, linearly representing a sign; semiotic components  provide a link between two objects in the mental field; cognitive components connect the components of the system at any given moment. In this regard, the question of the nature of the metaphor is the question of the coherence of elements of thought and language.