This thesis provides an analysis of the use of metaphorical expressions concerning war in political discourse from the perspective of cognitive linguistics. It is divided into three chapters. The aim of the first chapter is to present the theoretical framework for the practical part of the thesis. It begins with pivotal theories and concepts behind metaphors and their importance for not only the language but also the world around. In this section, first, a definition of metaphor and some key concepts concerning metaphor such as conceptual metaphor, structural metaphor, conventional metaphor and the scope of metaphor will be illustrated one by one in detail. Among numerous definitions of the phenomenon suggested by scholars, only those capturing peculiar traits of metaphor will be presented. Secondly, metaphor will be characterized as a basic and crucial mean of communication, for both laypersons and professionals.
Chapter two is devoted to the presentation of researches on metaphor in political discourse. As first, the theories on metaphor and its function in political discourse will be described. Although recognized and acknowledged, the omnipresence of metaphor in political discourse raises a question of its function. The following chapter is an individualistic attempt to answer the following question: is metaphor construed as an ornamental figure of speech or symbolic trope, or does it influence the way political issues are comprehended and evaluated? Political discourse is driven by underlying conceptual metaphors deeply rooted in the ideology and cultural environment of the speaker. The more distant the object, the more important the vehicle of comprehension metaphor is.
Chapter three analyzes metaphorical expressions of war in political discourse using cognitive linguistics. It studies data from Polish and English politicians' public addresses, revealing mappings between WAR and politics. This metaphor is deeply ingrained in citizens' minds, readily applied due to its association with conflicts among groups in politics.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1. Theoretical framework of metaphors
1.1.Defining the concept of metaphor
1.2.Theories of metaphor
1.3.Conceptual metaphor theory
1.3.1 Structural metaphor
1.3.2 Conventional metaphor
1.4.Metaphors as tools for communication
Chapter 2. Metaphors in political discourse
2.1 Function of metaphor in political discourse
2.2. Cross-cultural perspective on metaphor in political discourse
Chapter 3. A contrastive study of metaphors of war in English and Polish political discourse
3.1. An analysis of war metaphors in English and Polish political discourse
3.2. Findings and analysis
Conclusions
Research Objectives and Key Topics
The primary aim of this work is to provide a contrastive analysis of war-related metaphorical expressions within English and Polish political discourse from the perspective of cognitive linguistics. The research investigates how these metaphors function as tools for shaping political reality, influencing public opinion, and constructing the identities of political actors.
- Theoretical foundations of cognitive metaphor theory
- Function and role of metaphors in modern political communication
- Cross-cultural perspectives on metaphorical framing
- Analysis of the "POLITICS IS WAR" conceptual metaphor in English and Polish political discourse
- Effectiveness of persuasive communicative strategies
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 An analysis of war metaphors in English and Polish political discourse
As it is stated by some scholars and their theory, metaphor should be treated as a cognitive phenomenon and the metaphorical expressions, which are found in language, simply mirror the metaphors, which exist at a conceptual level (Lakoff, Johnson 2003:4). These authors claim that “primarily on the basis of linguistic evidence, we have found that most of our ordinary conceptual system is metaphorical in nature. And we have found a way to begin to identify in detail just what the metaphors are that structure how we perceive, how we think, and what we do” (Lakoff, Johnson 1980:456). In their analysis of metaphors, Lakoff and Johnson analyse numerous vocabulary items, which demonstrate the systematicity of metaphorical concepts (Lakoff, Johnson 2003:4). The aforementioned scholars indicate that ARGUMENT is a conceptual domain, which is structured in terms of WAR (Lakoff, Johnson 2003:4).
Accordig to Coe and Winter, “In the 2012 U.S. presidential election, swing states were turned into “battleground states”, and the image of the candidates physically hurting each other was reinforced through progressively violent language, such as when the Daily Telegraph described Romney and his opponents as putting up “a fierce if ungentlemanly fight (biting and scratching were allowed)” (Coe, Winter 2014:1). The author investigated how this metaphor is used in today’s politics. It can be seen that in the above example WAR is the source domain that is mapped onto ARGUMENT, which is the target domain. As mentioned previously, a conceptual mapping should be understood as a group of correspondences among components present in these two domains.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a brief overview of the ubiquity of metaphors in political marketing and outlines the thesis's purpose to explore metaphorical usage through the lens of cognitive linguistics.
Chapter 1. Theoretical framework of metaphors: Examines fundamental theories of metaphor, focusing on Lakoff and Johnson's Conceptual Metaphor Theory, including structural and conventional metaphors.
Chapter 2. Metaphors in political discourse: Analyzes the function of metaphors within politics, highlighting how they serve as organizational tools for political tension and reflect cultural perspectives.
Chapter 3. A contrastive study of metaphors of war in English and Polish political discourse: Performs a practical, comparative analysis of war metaphors used by English and Polish politicians to reveal how these mappings influence voters.
Conclusions: Summarizes the key findings, reaffirming that metaphors are a vital "driving force" in political persuasion and essential for understanding human experience in dynamic environments.
Keywords
Cognitive linguistics, conceptual metaphor, political discourse, war metaphors, cross-cultural study, persuasion, political communication, Lakoff and Johnson, language analysis, metaphorical mapping, political actors, rhetorical devices, conceptual domain, target domain, source domain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work focuses on the role and function of metaphorical expressions specifically related to the concept of "war" within English and Polish political communication.
What are the primary themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the cognitive basis of language, the systematicity of metaphorical concepts, persuasion techniques in politics, and the influence of cultural background on how political reality is conceptualized.
What is the main objective of the thesis?
The aim is to identify and analyze how the "POLITICS IS WAR" conceptual metaphor is realized in English and Polish political discourse and to determine its impact on audience perception.
Which methodology is adopted in this study?
The study utilizes a cognitive linguistics approach, focusing on Conceptual Metaphor Theory to examine linguistic evidence and map source domains (war) to target domains (politics).
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical framework of metaphorical systems, the intersection of metaphors with political rhetoric, and a practical comparative analysis of empirical data from political discourse.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The most characterizing terms are Cognitive linguistics, conceptual metaphor, political discourse, war metaphors, and cultural background.
How do politicians use war metaphors to benefit their standing?
Politicians utilize war metaphors to present political struggles as a series of attacks and defenses, which helps simplify complex political issues for voters and reinforces their own positions.
What is the significance of the contrastive study between English and Polish?
The contrastive aspect demonstrates that while the cognitive mechanisms are universal, the specific realization and cultural weight of metaphors vary between the two languages, reflecting unique national contexts.
- Citar trabajo
- Anika Grudziak (Autor), 2023, Metaphors of War in English and Polish Political Discourse, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1383116
