This paper explores the role and function of metaphors in politics, specifically within news media reporting on Donald Trump's inauguration. With a specific focus on Canadian newspaper articles on Trump's immigration ban, the study offers a detailed analysis of the metaphorical language employed.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Metaphor Theory
2.1 Conceptual and Linguistic Metaphor
2.2 Source Domain and Target Domain
2.3 Function and Purpose of Metaphors
3. Metaphors in Politics
3.1 Analysis of Canadian Newspaper Articles on Trump's Immigration Ban
3.2 Discussing of Results
4. Conclusion
5. References
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to examine how Canadian newspapers utilized metaphorical concepts in their reporting on Donald Trump's immigration ban. By analyzing specific source domains within journalistic discourse, the study seeks to demonstrate how political figures and media outlets employ metaphors to evoke emotional responses and frame public perception in a negative light.
- Fundamental principles of Conceptual Metaphor Theory.
- Distinctions between source and target domains in linguistic analysis.
- The rhetorical function of metaphors in political communication.
- Comparative analysis of Canadian media coverage regarding U.S. immigration policy.
- The role of metaphors in shaping ideological and emotional realities.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Metaphors in Politics
Metaphors are often used in political speeches and they can be found in several newspaper articles. Since metaphors have a "poetic function" they are a very creative tool in politics. (Carver 2008: 45). Political leaders use them in order, to gain the attention of the audience. Even, "[...] Aristotle pick[ed] at all times the most beneficial words [...] to obtain the audience's attention by simplifying complex problems" (Musloff 2008: 62). This underlines that metaphors have got a long history and that they have been an important tool in our language for a long time. Since it is no secret that metaphors have an enormous impact on the listener, politicians try to persuade the audience of their ideologies and their values, particularly during election time (Musloff 2008: 73). Knowles even argues, that politicians tend to "exploit" the use of metaphors. (Knowles/Moon 2006: 97). This underlines again the advantage and impact of metaphors in political language. Political leaders try to appeal by the using of metaphors at our emotions and our values shared by the culture we live in. Musloff argues, that "[...] metaphor is emotion" and that they "[...] create a sense of intimacy centred on the sharing of emotions" (Musloff 2008: 63). This phrase emphasizes the fact that emotions are very important to us human beings and that metaphors can manipulate us by evoking a specific emotion by using a certain metaphorical concept. Moreover, as we are guided by our emotional experiences metaphors can "create social, cultural and psychological realities" (Köveces 2010b: 17). These are aspects politicians take advantage of. Since these "realities" are only concepts in our brain, caused by metaphorical language, they can only be evoked by appealing at our emotions (Köveces 2010b: 17). This leads to the fact that people believe what they have heart and that they are persuaded by the fact that this certain politician will fulfill his promises he has given to his audience.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the significance of metaphors in everyday communication and outlines the paper's focus on analyzing Canadian newspaper reports concerning Trump’s immigration policy.
2. Metaphor Theory: This section provides the theoretical foundation, explaining conceptual and linguistic metaphors, the interaction between source and target domains, and the functional utility of metaphorical framing.
3. Metaphors in Politics: This chapter examines the usage of metaphors in political discourse and presents a detailed analysis of three Canadian newspaper articles regarding the U.S. immigration ban, followed by a discussion of the observed findings.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the main findings, reiterating how the specific selection of negative source domains in the analyzed media coverage effectively shapes public perception of political events.
5. References: This section lists the scholarly literature and media sources cited within the research paper.
Keywords
Metaphor, Cognitive Linguistics, Political Discourse, Source Domain, Target Domain, Conceptual Metaphor, Immigration Ban, Media Analysis, Framing, Political Communication, Emotional Manipulation, Rhetoric, Cultural Perception, Canadian Newspapers, Donald Trump.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
This paper explores the role and impact of metaphors as a persuasive tool in political communication, specifically within the context of Canadian newspaper coverage of U.S. politics.
What are the primary thematic fields addressed?
The study centers on Conceptual Metaphor Theory, political rhetoric, journalistic framing, and the influence of metaphor on audience emotional response.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to determine how Canadian newspapers utilized metaphorical concepts to express a negative attitude toward Donald Trump’s immigration ban.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative approach, applying Conceptual Metaphor Theory to identify and analyze metaphorical mappings within three distinct Canadian news articles.
What topics does the main body cover?
The main body covers the definition and function of metaphors, the structural components of conceptual metaphors, and a comparative analysis of specific linguistic examples found in media reports.
Which keywords best characterize the research?
Key terms include Metaphor, Political Discourse, Conceptual Metaphor Theory, immigration ban, and Media Analysis.
How does the author define the relationship between source and target domains?
The author explains that the source domain provides the imagery and terminology, which is then mapped onto the abstract target domain to make complex political concepts more understandable or emotionally charged.
Why did the author specifically analyze Canadian newspapers?
The author chose Canadian sources to analyze the perspective of an external neighbor regarding the impact of U.S. immigration policies on people living across the border.
What conclusion does the author draw regarding the newspapers' intent?
The author concludes that these newspapers consistently used negative source domains to frame the immigration ban as an intrusive, harmful "object" or exclusionary barrier.
Does the author believe metaphors are intentional in political reporting?
The author argues that politicians and media outlets strategically select specific metaphors to simplify complex issues and manipulate the audience's emotional perception.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2017, Decoding Metaphors in Politics. An Analysis of Canadian Media Reports on Trump's Immigration Ban, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1373987
