Ontological Metaphors and Interdiscursivity/ Recontextualization in Iranians’ Political Comments on Instagram

Abstract

With the significance that linguistic or discursive creativity has achieved in the last decade, it becomes incumbent on researchers to examine this phenomenon in political discourse in varying contexts. Therefore, in this study, the researchers sought to examine five ontological metaphors (at a linguistic/pragmatic level) as well as interdiscursivity and recontextualization (at a discourse analytical level) in Instagram comments in the Iranian context. Accordingly, the researchers employed Al-Hindawi and Al-Saate’s (2016) model of ontological metaphors as well as Jones’ (2010) interdiscursivity and recontextualization as discursive strategies. The analysis of Instagram comments indicated that overall Iranian social media users drew on various types of ontological metaphor in their Instagram comments. More specifically, among the ontological metaphors, metonymy and idiomatic expressions were the most commonly used metaphorical strategies followed by simile, with hyperbole and personification being the least frequently utilized metaphors. Additionally, results indicated the Iranians users’ resort to interdiscursivity and recontextualization as discursive strategies in their attempt to bring about political and social change. More specifically, the users employed ideas from various discourses such as sports, religion and literature to emphasize the need for political and social change. The findings may have implications for linguists, discourse analysts, politicians, and pragmaticians.