M1A: Conceptual Metaphors

“A single, thoroughly analyzed example.. Allowed us to see.. that ordinary everyday English is largely metaphorical” (Lakoff,1993)

When “one domain of experience is systematically conceptualised in terms of another” (Charteris-Black, 2004)

What is Conceptual Metaphor?

Conceptual metaphor theory involves structuring a concept metaphorically so that we can understand expressions better by associating them with a tangible concept.  

For example, expressions such as  "shot down his argument" and "defended his stand" can be related with the tangible concept of war, which allows us to obtain the conceptual metaphor that "ARGUMENT IS WAR" and understand expressions used in argument better. 

Similarly, the expressions "tension between markets and government" and "right balance between markets and government" brings about notions of pragmatism and politicians playing their hand at the correct junctures, thus associating the ideas with strategy, and we can hence obtain the conceptual metaphor that "POLITICS IS A GAME OF STRATEGY".

How is it used?

Political discourse is intimately related with Conceptual Metaphors. Politicians often use conceptual metaphors in their speech to convey their message to their audience effectively and achieve their purposes. An example of this is in the United States, Republicans and Democrats use different conceptual metaphors, which reflects their different views and beliefs, as well as their approach towards connecting with the American public. 

Reflecting this usage, US President Barack Obama's used many movement-related conceptual metaphors in his 2010 State of the Union address. As Cox points out,“President Obama’s 2010 State of the Union address was rich with figurative language, particularly metaphoric language.”(Cox, 2012) At the time of his address, the 2008 financial crisis had  left many American feeling a loss of control over their future, the economic climate was chaotic and many feared for the future of the nation. President Obama therefore made use of movement metaphors—particularly metaphors about being "on a journey", to make this issue more relatable to the public, as well as assure Americans that the government will help the American people and they will work together to face the challenges ahead. This helped to allay Americans' fears and be more confident about theirs' and their nation's future.

List of conceptual metaphors used

2010 US State of the Union Address