Language and metaphor – between monotheism and the unity of existence

This study addresses a somewhat new topic, which is the relationship between language and metaphor with the human's vision of the universe and his perception of the relationship between the Creator and the created. In other words, it connects several fields of human activity (linguistic studies — religious studies — psychological studies). It is divided into two sections. The first section deals with metaphorical images as specific expressions of the human's view of the universe. The study monitors the two main metaphorical images in modern Western civilization: the mechanical image and the organic image. It also applies the method of analyzing the metaphorical image as an entry point to understanding the underlying model that dominates the Zionist mind, whether in its relation to itself or in its relation to the other. The second section of the study deals with a more abstract topic, which is the relationship between the vision of the universe and language, and the problematic relationship between the signifier (term — indication — name) and the signified (concept — referent — designated). The study shows that the linguistic vision, which suggests that there is a relationship of connection and separation between the signifier and the signified, usually relies on the monotheistic view that God is the center of the universe, transcendent but cared for, in a relationship of communication with the world and separation from it, with a distance separating the Creator and the created. As for the view that sees a complete integration or complete separation between the signifier and the signified, it is based on the ontological view that God has fully incarnated in His creations, eliminating the distance between them, so that the Creator and the universe become one essence. The study also discusses two types of discourse and language: metaphorical language with multiple levels and dimensions, versus iconic and literal language, which has a single level and dimension. Metaphorical language expresses the monotheistic vision of God as being separate from the universe yet connected to it at the same time. Conversely, iconic and literal language are the product of the belief in the incarnation of God in the world, His manifestation within it, and His unity with it. Book information: Author: Abdulwahab Al-Masiri Year of publication: 2005 Publisher: Dar Al-Shorouk Number of pages: 192