The Development of Metaphor Understanding of Intermediate and Preparatory School Students in Mosul city
Abstract
The research aimed at identifying the intermediate and preparatory school students level of understanding of linguistic metaphors. and highlighting any developmental differences with regard to gender (males / females). specialization (scientific / literary). and stage (second intermediate up to fifth preparatory). The sample included (260) participants divided equally on both genders. (100) of which are intermediate school students. and (160) are preparatory school students. The researcher prepared the measuring tool that is composed of (20) metaphors. All participants were asked to write down their interpretation (semantic significance) next to each metaphor to demonstrate their understanding. Face validity and reliability were authenticated by finding the reliability between two examiners (the researcher and other examiner). The results indicated the existence of a developmental path in metaphor understanding as students' progress from one stage to the next. despite the edge that literary fourth preparatory students had over the scientific fourth and fifth preparatory students. and the edge that the literary fifth preparatory students had over all other stages in the same fashion.