Metaphor and vocabulary teaching in ESP economics

Abstract

Metaphors provide insight into particular ways of thinking—both in general terms and in relation to the development of semi-technical registers. In this paper, a case is made for basing vocabulary teaching to ESP economics students on lexis that reflects important underlying metaphors of the subject. These are identified with reference to high frequency lexis in The Economist magazine (as compared with the general magazine section of the Bank of English) and an explanation is offered of their metaphorical basis. Of particular interest is the use of animate metaphors to describe the economy ( growth, depression, etc.) and economic organisations ( parent/sister company, etc.) and inanimate metaphors to describe market movements ( rebounds, slides, etc.). It is proposed that this is because the former are represented as under the control of experts whereas the latter are represented as beyond human control. In the choice of metaphors the economist is able to vary the extent to which predictions and control are presented as feasible.