CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS IN POLITICAL SPEECHES: A CORPUS-ASSISTED CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF CROSS-CULTURAL PERSUASION
Keywords:
conceptual metaphors, political discourse, persuasion, critical discourse analysis, corpus linguistics, cross-cultural communicationAbstract
This study explores how conceptual metaphors function as persuasive tools in political speeches across different cultural contexts. Using a corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis (CDA) approach, the research investigates speeches delivered by prominent political leaders from Western and Eastern cultures. The analysis focuses on identifying metaphorical patterns that reflect underlying ideological, emotional, and cultural frameworks. The corpus, consisting of 25 political speeches, was analyzed using AntConc software to examine the frequency and semantic domains of metaphorical expressions. Findings reveal that metaphors of war, journey, and family are dominant across cultures, yet their persuasive effects vary according to cultural values and communication styles. The study concludes that conceptual metaphors are not only linguistic devices but also ideological instruments that shape political discourse and public perception. This research contributes to the understanding of how metaphor-based persuasion operates in cross-cultural political communication.
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