Conceptual metaphors for visual/auditory perception in Swedish

Abstract This study aims to illustrate how visual and auditory perception are conceptualized in Swedish and what differences there are between them. Previous studies often discuss perception in relation to the oppositely directed motions between the perceiver and the object perceived. In the Perceiver-as-Source type, perception occurs when our eyes/gaze reach the object perceived. In the Perceived-as-Source type, perception takes place when sense stimuli reach the perceiver. The data show two differences between visual and auditory perception. First, we find more metaphorical expressions for visual perception than for auditory perception. Second, we also find that, while visual perception has a stronger connection to the Perceiver-as-Source type, auditory perception is more strongly connected to the Perceived-as-Source type. These two differences are explained by the function of the perceptual organs.