Appunti linguistica inglese

Conceptual Metaphor in Political Discourse Analysis

Strict Father vs. Nurturant Parent

Introduction:

• Political texts reflect of "politics" because they are defined by history and culture. They perform different functions on the basis of different political actions and "related" to the political world (e.g. political activities, ideas, emotions, etc.);
• Positive-self vs negative-other;
• Linguistic forms employed to favour political messages, ideology and mould world-views;
• Lexical metaphorical mappings;
• Metaphor and metonymy;
• Close linguistic items: pronouns

Cognitive/Conceptual Metaphor Theory

Conceptual metaphor = correspondence between different conceptual domains

In CMT known source domain is mapped onto another conceptual domain:

• Love is war
• Life is a journey
• Life is a container (es. life = attività → vivere) Collegato a container: causato

Cognitive models help us to "fill in" what is not express literally in political discourse

Strict Father Morality (conservative point of view)

• Is based on the notion that a child should never be coddled, so that the development of certain "morals" (or virtues) is encouraged: self-discipline, self-reliance and respect for legitimate authority
• In this way a child will become self-reliant later in life
• Natural disdain for uncontrolled parents (= government) who expect their authority when they have no business being so

Conceptual Metaphor in Political Discourse Analysis

Strict Father vs Nurturant Parent

Introduction

• Political texts reflect of "politics" because they are defined by history and culture. They perform different functions on the basis of different political actions and related to the political world (e.g. political activities, ideas, emotions, etc.);
• Positive-self vs negative-other;
• Linguistic forms employed to favour political messages, ideology and model world-views;
• Lexical metaphorical mappings;
• Metaphor and metonymy;
• Close linguistic focus: pronouns

Cognitive/Conceptual Metaphor Theory

Conceptual metaphor: correspondence between different conceptual domains

In CMT known source domain is mapped onto another conceptual domain:

• Love is war
• Life is a journey
• Life is a container (es life=events -> viewed as container: contents)

Cognitive models help us to "fill in" what is not explicit literally in political discourse

Strict Father Morality (conservative point of view)

• Is based on the notion that a child should never be coddled so that the development of certain morals (or virtues) is encouraged: self-discipline, self-reliance and respect for legitimate authority
• In this way a child will become self-reliant later in life
• Natural disdain for meddling parents (=government) who assert their authority when they have no business doing so

• Strong belief that the rich should have moral authority over the poor
• The American Dream

Nuturant Parent Morality (Liberal or progressive world view)

• Basic childhood experiences of being cared for and cared about
• A child grows through interaction and care, instilling a strong sense of empathy for others and potential for achievement
• Use NP morality in political morality = fair distribution

Conservatives

• Social programs are seen as unnatural and immoral as they "coddle" people who should be learning to fend for themselves
• Taxation is seen as a form of moral punishment

Liberals

• Federal government strong, nurturant parent that provides basic needs to all its citizens, especially those in need
• Social programs both help and strengthen people so they are seen as a civil duty and an investment for the future
• Taxation = "moral accounting" → People receive nurturance from parents and often give to children who need the same

Pronouns

• Pronouns in politics = notions of identity and ideology
• They indicate collectivity and individuality
• "Self" & "Other" referral
• Pronouns can be located on a distancing scale
• The choice of pronouns is closely tied to a speaker's identity and ideology
• Pronouns scaled dialectically to present people's position in the world as a space ours

Term of Address and Personal Reference

• Pronoun use
• Vocative and 2nd person pronouns
• Audience - engagement strategy