The Metaphorical Perceptions of Prospective Teachers on Rumor and Gossip
ÖĞRETMEN ADAYLARININ SÖYLENTİ VE DEDİKODUYA YÖNELİK METAFORİK ALGILARI

Author : Bünyamin HAN
Number of pages : 2311-2337

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the perceptions of prospective teachers about rumors and gossip through metaphors. Although rumor and gossip are confused and used interchangeably, they are different concepts. Therefore, it is seen that the investigating the perceptions of people about rumor and gossip is very important in terms of literature. Metaphor technique has been preferred in presenting the perceptions of these concepts, because through metaphors, people embody abstract and ambiguous thoughts and perceptions in their minds by simulating something that is easier to understand. The research was conducted on the candidate teachers of the Faculty of Education at Dicle University in 2017-2018 academic year. The study group consisted of 141 volunteers from fourth grade students. The data were collected by using a semi-structured interview form. In the interview form, the participants were asked to liken rumors and gossips to anything they wanted such as animate/inanimate, abstract/concrete, positive/negative and to write the reason why they made this metaphor. The percentage and frequency of the data were calculated and the data were analyzed using the content analysis technique and the findings were presented under various themes. According to the research findings, participants perceived the rumor mostly as “rapid and widespread information”, “current and temporary information”. Besides, rumor as “source of uncertainty” is also emphasized. In this respect, it has been shown that the rumor has a more neutral meaning and its effects may be positive or negative. Gossip has been shown to have relatively more negative judgments. Gossip is perceived as “fun, tasteful and attractive”, but it is mostly perceived as “harmful information”.

Keywords

Rumor, Gossip, Metaphor

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