Editing Metaphor (section)

== In historical linguistics ==
In historical [[onomasiology]] or in [[historical linguistics]], a metaphor is defined as a semantic change based on a similarity in form or function between the original concept and the target concept named by a word.<ref>Cf. [[Joachim Grzega]] (2004), ''Bezeichnungswandel: Wie, Warum, Wozu? Ein Beitrag zur englischen und allgemeinen Onomasiologie'', Heidelberg: Winter, and Blank, Andreas (1997), ''Prinzipien des lexikalischen Bedeutungswandels am Beispiel der romanischen Sprachen'', Tübingen: Niemeyer.</ref>

For example, ''mouse'': "small, gray rodent with a long tail" → "small, gray computer device with a long cord".

Some recent linguistic theories hold that language evolved from the capability of the brain to create metaphors that link actions and sensations to sounds.<ref name="bbc_co_uk" />