Abstract
Abstract This study explores the use of metaphors in the narratives of breast cancer patients in online magazine websites in the Arabic language. It aims to find similarities and/or differences between English and Arabic in respect of the metaphorical constructions of cancer experiences. The corpus of the study consists of 13,705 words in 19 narratives in Arabic. We used the metaphor identification procedure of Pragglejaz Group (2007) to detect the metaphors in the corpus. We focused on the role of metaphor in constructing our experience of cancer, and examined which metaphors are more frequent in the construction of the cancer experience. The results of the study revealed that there is a great similarity between Arabic and English in respect of the metaphors used to construct the cancer experience; the patients have framed their cancer situation via WAR and/or JOURNEY metaphors, with War metaphors more frequently used than Journey Metaphors. The findings also indicate that the Arabic narratives tended to include a stronger religious framework, constructing cancer as a kind of Trial by Ordeal in which one proves one’s firm faith through patience and acceptance of fate.
Highlights
Introduction[C]ancer remains a life threatening illness characterised by fear and uncertainty about the future and accompanied by intrusive medical procedures and aversive treatment, pain and fatigue, changes in social roles and relationships and other disruptions. (Stanton et al 2006, 138)
This study explores the use of metaphors in the narratives of breast cancer patients in online magazine websites in the Arabic language
What are the conceptual metaphors identified in the Arabic online narratives of breast cancer patients? And second, what are the similarities and/or differences between English and Arabic languages with regard to the identified metaphorical constructions?
Summary
[C]ancer remains a life threatening illness characterised by fear and uncertainty about the future and accompanied by intrusive medical procedures and aversive treatment, pain and fatigue, changes in social roles and relationships and other disruptions. (Stanton et al 2006, 138). Nearly 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer.” cancer is one of the most significant public health challenges of the twenty-first century.2 It tends to be conceived of as a trauma and a chronic life-threatening disease (Galgut 2010, Tritter and Calnan 2002). Communication is important for cancer patients since they “want consolation and must overcome solitude by articulating experience, being listened to, and, in this way, recreating and strengthening identity” (Skott 2002, 230). Both online discussion boards and support groups are becoming increasingly popular with cancer patients and have almost become the new alternative to face-to-face support groups (Blank et al 2010, Gooden and Winefield 2007). What are the conceptual metaphors identified in the Arabic online narratives of breast cancer patients? And second, what are the similarities and/or differences between English and Arabic languages with regard to the identified metaphorical constructions?
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