In this paper I will first explain what the term Metaphor means and highlight the claim, that it is not only a poetic device, but that conceptual metaphors are pervasive in our everyday life and have a brief look at the Sapir-Whorf-Hypothesis. In the second part I will explain in detail what Metaphorical Framing is, how it works and what the pros and cons of Metaphorical Framing are. To that end I am going to include two series of experiments concerning metaphorical framing of crime and climate change from Thibodeau and Boroditsky and Wolsko et al. giving a short overview about their findings.
Throughout time the metaphor has always been an object of interest and one of the reasons might be, that our mind “is a connecting organ, it works only by connecting and it can connect any two things in an indefinitely large number of different ways” (Charteris-Black 2014). So, as Lakoff and Johnson argue, metaphors are eminent in our brains, the way our conceptual system and therefore our mind works, how we think, argue, and reason. And exactly because of that, our brain can also be manipulated by metaphor. It is not only a linguistic concept, but an important influence on how we think and behave.
Headlines like “Why won’t the world tackle the refugee crisis?” or “Two summits this week will try to address the 65 million displaced and 20 million in danger. But they are under fire before talks have even begun” (McVeigh and Townsend), seem to be ‘normal’ to us, when indeed they are heavily loaded with negative connotations and war metaphors. This use of metaphors to influence people’s way of thinking is called metaphorical framing.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Metaphor and the Sapir-Whorf-Hypothesis
2.1 Traditional views on metaphor
2.2 Conceptual Metaphor
2.3 Sapir-Whorf-Hypothesis
3 Metaphorical Framing
3.1 What is Metaphorical Framing?
3.2 How does Metaphorical Framing work?
3.3 Positive and negative sides of Metaphorical Framing
4 Conclusion
5 Works cited
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the function of metaphorical framing as a cognitive mechanism that influences human perception and decision-making. By analyzing the intersection of linguistics, cognitive science, and political communication, the paper explores how metaphors extend beyond poetic devices to become pervasive tools capable of shaping social and political realities.
- Conceptual metaphors and the Sapir-Whorf-Hypothesis
- Cognitive mechanisms behind metaphorical framing
- The creative and constructive power of language in politics
- Empirical analysis of moral framing in climate change discourse
- The role of media in manipulating public perception through framing
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 How does Metaphorical Framing work?
According to Charteris-Black many politicians use metaphors to “arouse emotions” and “frame ways of thinking about the social world that actually construct power relations and become political realities”(Charteris-Black 2014: 160). Metaphorical framing can be creative or constructive in the sense of framing the way of thinking. Examples for creative framing would be Cold War or Iron Curtain. Charteris-Black argues that the relationship between the Soviet Union and the USA was shaped by metaphors that originated in the language of politicians, which were then taken up by the media and in public discourse to become the ‘normal’ way of talking about these issues (Charteris-Black 2014: 160).
So creative metaphorical framing means actually inventing new metaphors to frame the way we think about a newly arisen or actual topic. In the case of the Cold War the metaphors used “highlighted only negative aspects [...] – coldness, hardness, immorality” (Charteris-Black 2014: 160) in order to construct “relations between the USA and the Soviet Union with a set of unarticulated assumptions that constrained these relations” (Charteris-Black 2014: 160).
An example for constructive metaphorical framing would be the Arab Spring metaphor. It highlights the naturalness of the energy and enthusiasm for change that has swept across many Arabic nations. It is a positive evaluation of these actions because it implies that a summer will inevitably follow the spring (Charteris-Black 2014: 161).
With just these two words the media has not only given us a very memorable metaphor, but they have also evaluated, judged and determined they way we evaluate and judge these events. How a metaphor frames an issue is according to Charteris-Black not necessarily predetermined by the metaphor, but also depends on the orator’s skills. The trick is to find a metaphor that constructs reality in a way that is plausible and resonates with the popular view. It also has to comply with the target audience’s own political objectives and world view in order to actually frame their thinking about the topic. (cf. Charteris-Black 2014: 161).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the importance of metaphors in daily thought and introduces the concept of metaphorical framing as a powerful influence on cognition.
2 Metaphor and the Sapir-Whorf-Hypothesis: Explores traditional definitions of metaphor, the theory of conceptual metaphors, and how linguistic structures shape our world view.
3 Metaphorical Framing: Details the definition, mechanics, and societal impact of framing, supported by specific studies on social and environmental issues.
4 Conclusion: Summarizes the dangers of manipulated framing and calls for critical awareness in interpreting media language.
5 Works cited: Lists the academic sources and empirical studies referenced throughout the seminar paper.
Keywords
Metaphorical Framing, Cognitive Linguistics, Sapir-Whorf-Hypothesis, Conceptual Metaphor, Linguistic Determinism, Political Communication, Moral Framing, Climate Change, Cognitive Schemes, Media Influence, Social Cognition, Metaphoric Mapping, Discourse Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the concept of metaphorical framing, investigating how metaphors act not just as linguistic decoration, but as cognitive tools that shape how people perceive social and political issues.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the link between language and thought, the cognitive power of conceptual metaphors, and the strategic use of framing in media and political rhetoric.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to highlight how metaphorical framing influences reasoning and decision-making, emphasizing the need for audience awareness regarding potential manipulation.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes a theoretical literature review combined with the analysis of empirical psychological experiments, such as those by Thibodeau, Boroditsky, and Wolsko et al.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers the theoretical foundations of metaphor, the mechanisms of creative and constructive framing, and a detailed look at how moral framing affects attitudes toward climate change.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Metaphorical Framing, Linguistic Determinism, Conceptual Metaphor, Political Communication, and Cognitive Schemes.
How does the author define creative vs. constructive framing?
Creative framing involves inventing new metaphors to define reality, while constructive framing builds upon existing cultural associations to evaluate events positively or negatively.
What were the findings regarding climate change framing?
The experiments cited show that framing environmental issues using values that resonate with a specific target audience (e.g., conservative moral values) can significantly improve the reception of those messages.
Why is metaphorical framing potentially dangerous?
The author argues that because framing operates largely covertly, it can be used for fear-mongering and manipulation, which may threaten democratic processes and independent thinking.
- Citation du texte
- Nadja Niyaz (Auteur), 2017, Metaphorical Framing, the Sapir-Whorf-Hypothesis and how language shapes our thoughts, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/369108
