This paper examines the use of metaphors in political discourse related to COVID-19, focusing on speeches by political leaders from the UK, USA, and Italy. It investigates how metaphors function as both linguistic and cognitive tools, shaping public perceptions of the pandemic. The study analyzes the rhetorical and communicative strategies employed in English and Italian political speeches, with particular attention to figurative language. The analysis centers on how metaphors differ across the speeches of three political leaders—Boris Johnson (UK), Donald Trump (USA), and Giuseppe Conte (Italy)—within their respective socio-political contexts. The findings reveal cross-cultural similarities in metaphor use, particularly in how these leaders framed COVID-19 as a collective struggle. All three leaders predominantly used the WAR metaphor, along with other frames such as DANGEROUS LIQUID, CONTAINER, and OBJECT. The key differences appeared in less common conceptual mappings with fewer lexicalizations and occurrences. These similarities suggest the presence of a global rhetoric surrounding the virus, possibly pointing to universal cognitive structures that are activated when humanity confronts dangerous situations, regardless of cultural or linguistic context.
Figures of coronavirus – conceptual and linguistic metaphors in British, U.S and Italian political discourse
Dario Del Fante
2024
Abstract
This paper examines the use of metaphors in political discourse related to COVID-19, focusing on speeches by political leaders from the UK, USA, and Italy. It investigates how metaphors function as both linguistic and cognitive tools, shaping public perceptions of the pandemic. The study analyzes the rhetorical and communicative strategies employed in English and Italian political speeches, with particular attention to figurative language. The analysis centers on how metaphors differ across the speeches of three political leaders—Boris Johnson (UK), Donald Trump (USA), and Giuseppe Conte (Italy)—within their respective socio-political contexts. The findings reveal cross-cultural similarities in metaphor use, particularly in how these leaders framed COVID-19 as a collective struggle. All three leaders predominantly used the WAR metaphor, along with other frames such as DANGEROUS LIQUID, CONTAINER, and OBJECT. The key differences appeared in less common conceptual mappings with fewer lexicalizations and occurrences. These similarities suggest the presence of a global rhetoric surrounding the virus, possibly pointing to universal cognitive structures that are activated when humanity confronts dangerous situations, regardless of cultural or linguistic context.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
