Abstract :
This research was carried out to put forward the metaphors produced by university students’ towards “environment” concept. The study group of the research are 615 students that attend Karabük University in 2010-2011 Academic year. The analysis and interpretation of the data was done with the phenomenological science design, content analysis technique of qualitative research method. The research data was gathered by completing “Environment is like….. Because …….” statement. According to the findings of the research (1) University students have created 92 different and acceptable metaphors related to environment concept. (2)These metaphors were classified under 10 different conceptual categories after studied carefully in relation with their common qualities. At the end of the research, It was understood that 27% of the university students perceived environment as a way of “expressing life”, 21% as a way of expressing “importance”; 15% as a way of “reflection”, 9% as a way of expressing “place” , 8% as a way of expressing “protection”, 7% as a way of expressing “happiness and peace”, 5% as a way of expressing “love”, 3% as a way of expressing “beauty”, 2% as a way of expressing “pollution” and 1% perceived it as a way of expressing “variation”. As a result, metaphors can be used as a important research tool in understanding and explaining the perceptions of university students towards environment.
