Layering Processes in Metaphorization

This paper deals with the ongoing research on conceptual metaphor theory (CMT), introducing the notion of metaform, in order to link CMT with other dimensions of cultural symbolism, not just language. Specifically, it is argued that conceptual metaphors are types of forms that are created by various associative processes that can be called layering processes. Each layer onstitutes a type of abstraction that itself becomes a source for further abstract thinking nad modes of representation.