本研究致力于从系统功能语言学的立场出发对隐喻能力进行重新界定。在Halliday系统语法和功能语法基本假设的基础上，笔者试图从两个层次来解释隐喻及隐喻能力，即本源性(first-order)和非本源性(second-order)。本源性的隐喻能力反映了人们用目标语对世界进行概念化和分类的能力以及对目标语基本框架结构的掌握，而非本源性的隐喻能力则反映了人们使用不同语言形式对客观世界和社会现实进行重新构建和重新概念化的能力以及相应产生的能构建连贯语篇的能力。隐喻能力在本质上是动态的(dynamic)、构建的(constructive)，其原因在于语言的动态性、隐喻性以及隐喻构建中的隐喻化和非隐喻化过程。从本质上说，不仅本源性与非本源性隐喻能力本身是动态的、构建的，从本源性隐喻能力向非本源性隐喻能力的发展也是动态的、构建的。在探讨了隐喻能力的重新界定和本质后，笔者采用了历时的方法将其发展与儿童语言发展、人类语言进化两个问题进行了类比。笔者认为，隐喻能力由本源性向非本源性的发展可以通过与儿童语言发展、人类语言进化过程类比得到一些启示。

List of Tables

Chapter 1 Introduction

　1.1 Metaphorical competence—a neglected dimension

　1.2 Different approaches to the study of metaphorical competence

　1.3 Why a systemic perspective on metaphorical competence now?

　1.4 The general framework of the present book

Chapter 2 An Overview of the Researches on Metaphorical Competence

　2.1 The proposition of metaphorical competence

　　2.1.1 Historical backgrounds

　　2.1.2 Gardner & Winner"s research in metaphorical competence

　2.2 Further researches on metaphorical competence

　　2.2.1 Non-constructivist approaches to metaphorical competence

　　2.2.2 Constructivist approaches to metaphorical competence

　　 2.2.2.1 Danesi"s metaphorical competence and conceptual fluency

　　 2.2.2.2 Littlemore"s metaphoric-competence and metaphorical intelligence

 2.2.2.3 Cognitive linguists" views on metaphorical competence

 2.2.2.4 Systemic functional linguists" approaches to metaphorical competence

 2.3 Studies on metaphorical competence in China

2.3.1 Researches in the Chinese linguistic circle

2.3.2 Researches in the foreign languages circle

 2.4 Relationship between metaphorical competence, linguistic competence and communicative competence

Chapter 3 Reconsidering Metaphorical CompetenceFrom a Systemic Perspective

 3.1 Theoretical basis

 3.2 Redefinition of metaphorical competence

3.2.1 "Metaphor" in metaphorical competence

 3.2.1.1 First-order metaphor

 3.2.1.2 Second-order metaphor

3.2.2 Redefining metaphorical competence

 3.3 The nature of metaphorical competence

3.3.1 Constructiveness

3.3.2 Dynamicness

 3.4 A diachronic approach to metaphorical competence

 3.5 Summary

Chapter 4 Aspects of Metaphorical Competence

 4.1 Metaphorical competence and related factors

4.1.1 Metaphorical competence and thought

4.1.2 Metaphorical competence and context

4.1.3 Metaphorical competence and culture

4.1.4 Metaphorical competence and language

 4.1.4.1 Foreign language learning vs first language acquisition

 4.1.4.2 Metaphorical competence in language pedagogy

 4.2 Realizations of metaphorical competence

4.2.1 First-order metaphorical competence

4.2.2 Second-order metaphorical competence

Chapter 5 The Development of Metaphorical Competence in Foreign Language Learning——A Small-Scale Corpus Study

 5.1 Research methodology

5.1.1 The proposition of research questions

5.1.2 The origin of the corpus

5.1.3 Data collection and analysis

 5.2 Results and discussions

5.2.1 Differences between learners' display of their first-order and second-order metaphorical competence

5.2.2 The development of first-order metaphorical competence

5.2.3 The development of second-order metaphorical competence

 5.3 Findings

Chapter 6 Implications for Foreign Language Pedagogy

 6.1 Implications for sylabus designing

6.1.1 A critical evaluation of the present syllabuses in operation

6.1.2 A conceptual-cultural syllabus

 6.1.2.1 Guiding principles of a conceptual-cuhural syllabus

 6.1.2.2 Designing a conceptual-cultural syllabus

 6.2 Further implications for foreign language pedagogy

6.2.1 Implications for teaching materials designing

6.2.2 Implications for foreign language teaching and learning

Chapter 7 Conclusions

 7.1 Summary

 7.2 Conclusions

 7.3 Suggested areas for future researches

Bibliography

Appendix Selected Compositions from the Corpus