“Metaphor, humour and genesis of language (with some evidence from Ancient Egyptian Language)”, the speaker — Andrei Murashko, PhD student of Ca' Foscari University (Ven-ice, Italy)

16 February 2024, 5.00–7.00 PM

Address info: The seminar will be held online (via zoom). To receive the conference link, send an e-mail to: mindphilosophy.seminar@gmail.com.

Scientific purpose: to explore the meaning of metaphor and humour in the transition from pre-linguistic consciousness to linguistic thinking

Participants: Professors, PhD students and researchers, students and academic staff of RUDN University, Institute of Philosophy of RAS, MSU, RSUH, HSE, St. Petersburg State University, GUAP, PSU and als.

Abstract

The invention of metaphor can be seen as an important stage in the development of human language. The ability to name an object or phenomenon by the names of other things has not only led to an increase in expressiveness, but it has become a important contribution to the formation and consolidation of syntax. For example, reference of the word "crocodile" not to the corresponding animal, but also to a greedy and pitiless tribesman was a real breakthrough in thinking, that defined the transition from more straightforward “animal communication” and proto-language to the phenomenon, which we nowadays understand as “language”. While the Egyptian text called "Satire on Professions" (dating probably to 2150 BC) in one of the passages does indeed refer to the collectors as "crocodiles", it is obvious that the roots of this "shift" go back to much more ancient times. The use of metaphor covers a wide range of Egyptian texts of various genres, including the earliest of them (Pyramid Texts), as well as has its roots in the very principles of Egyptian writing. The use of certain symbols to denote concepts that do not directly coincide with what is depicted, such as the sign P5 "sail" in the meaning of "wind" or "breath", in some cases can be considered metaphorical. The associated phenomenon of indirect communication suggests another important mechanism of human culture: humour. Egyptian, the oldest known written language, allows you to look into the depths of pre-linguistic thinking, as well as Egyptian jokes and wordplay based on the transfer of meaning (i.e. metaphor in a broad sense).