FIGURKID

The main aim of the project is to build an interdisciplinary framework which enables the study of figurativity to be tackled from the angle of its development. To be specific, in this research we will focus on two ample expressions of figurativity: phraseology units (especially phrases) and verbal humour. This was justified as it is what has received least attention from the linguist- and especially from Hispanic experts, until now, as well as its interest and importance in the areas it applies to, such as teaching languages or clinical linguistics. In its broadest sense, this project aims to analyse language used by children in their humorous and phraseological performances, as these performances reflect development of conscious metapragmatism, their outlook on identity and this evolution throughout the primary education stage, specifically in three age groups: 8, 9 and 12-year-olds. The choice of age bracket which the project covers is consistent with the focus on the crucial changes the child undergoes at this preparatory stage for adolescence.