The Exemplary Use, a First Step towards Metaphorization?

We study in this article the "internal" classification of the so-called "modified" proper names in various uses, & particularly the possible relationship of exemplary use (Un Michel Drucker n'a plus besoin de legitimer sa presence) with metaphorical use, or antonomasia (II y aura toujours un Michel Drucker derriere une emission a succes). We first delimit the zones of indecision between overlapping areas of these two uses, frequently coupled to the comparative structure (Cet animateur a la carrure d'un Michel Drucker) or to a conditional verb (Il faudrait un Michel Drucker pour sauver cette emission), then we demonstrate that the indecision is in fact only coupled to constructions which merge the creation of a category & the expression, within this category, of the high degree represented by a model, a paragon. Thus, an exemplary construction presenting a sample would not be confused with a metaphorical use, as well as an antonomasia in praesentia with an exemplary construction. 17 References. Adapted from the source document