The code model of communication: a powerful - SIL International

2. Model as Metaphor 9
This study asserts that the code model of communication is, for most linguists, more
than a simple metaphor. Rather, it is a conceptual metaphor to the extent that it reflects
conceptual organization used by “mature” linguists who employ it and determines
conceptual structuring for linguists “in training” who learn and adopt it. 8 Just as our
everyday conceptual metaphors, such as ILLNESS IS ENEMY, are tacit and can only be
inferred from the actual metaphorisms, so also the code model is tacit and can only be
inferred from metaphorisms.
Employing the nomenclature here proposed, one may identify a code-model based
expression, such as “ideas to be transmitted are represented by a code” (Denes and
Pinson 1993:6 [orig. 1963]), as a COMMUNICATION IS CODING EVENT metaphorism.
Depending upon the component of the model in focus, the code model may be said to
reflect other metaphors as well, such as COMMUNICATION IS TRANSMISSION EVENT,
and COMMUNICATION IS DECODING EVENT.
While such nomenclature has become common in metaphor analysis (see Barlow
1994; Lakoff and Johnson 1980; Reddy 1979), it is not, however, common in model
analysis (see Gentner and Stevens 1983). In the more traditional nomenclature of model
analysis, a statement such as “ideas to be transmitted are represented by a code,” would
simply be referred to as an appeal to the code model. This study will employ metaphoranalysis
nomenclature when addressing more typical conceptual metaphors, such as the
conduit metaphor as an integrated constituent within the code model. In addressing codemodel
based statements, however, the study will employ the more traditional modelanalysis
nomenclature, by simply describing code-model based statements as “appeals”
to the model.
Lakoff has introduced a useful concept, that of functional embodiment, that helps
explain the significance of conceptual metaphors. A brief introduction to the idea of
‘functional embodiment’ is important here, for it contributes to an understanding of the
role of metaphor in metatheory. Lakoff defines the concept as follows:
Functional embodiment: The idea that certain concepts are not merely understood intellectually;
rather, they are used automatically, unconsciously, and without noticeable effort as part
of normal functioning. Concepts used in this way have a different, and more important, psychological
status than those that are only thought about consciously. (Lakoff 1987:12; italics
in original)
8
Readers should also see Norman (1983) and Young (1983), both of which discuss mental models, especially Young
(1983:38) discussing strong analogy and surrogate mental models. In some respects, the code model of communication
conforms to the characterization of mental models. Norman writes:
Mental models are naturally evolving models. That is, through interaction with a target system, people
formulate mental models of that system. These models need not be technically accurate (and usually are
not), but they must be functional. A person, through interaction with the system, will continue to modify
the mental model in order to get a workable result. Mental models will be constrained by such things as the
user’s technical background, previous experience with similar systems, and the structure of the human
information processing system. (Norman 1983:7–8)