【英文摘要】
Population aging is a global phenomenon and Taiwan is no exception. According to government’s Statistics data, Taiwan will enter a super-aged society by 2026, which means at least 20 percent of the population are the age of 65 and above. In a graying society, people with dementia are increasing as well. Dementia deteriorates patients’ memory, learning ability, emotional control, and judgement. Dementia affects not only on people with dementia but also on their carers, family and society. This study analyzes a self-narrative of a dementia family carer. By employing semiotic method, this research discusses the metaphors of the self-narrative and tries to explore the meanings of the text.
This study examines 13 quotes（15 metaphors）from the self-narrative text. There are two kinds of metaphors, namely, natural metaphors and humanistic metaphors. Natural metaphors include “black hole”, “tsunami”, “abyss”, “storm”, “nightmare”, and “it never rains but it pours”. Humanistic ones are “lag”, “system shutdown”, “seesaw”, “as going down the stairs”, “sinker”, “tough road”, “the long way”, “female relatives’ discussion”, “to take care a dementia family is to participate in a play”.
From the perspective of natural metaphors, human beings can only passively respond to the forces of nature. However, from the viewpoint of humanistic metaphors, they leave room for carers to make efforts. For instance, “to take care a dementia family is to participate in a play” indicates we have a chance to gain control over any situation. By learning from other people’s experiences, taking care of dementia family and controlling frustration is not an impossible mission.
|