Abstract
This study aims at analysing metaphorical expressions and reconstructing TERRORISM metaphors in British and Lithuanian media political discourse in the theoretical framework of cognitive linguistics and political philosophy (Lakoff and Johnson 1999, Johnson 1993, Elshtain 2004, Fairclough 2001, Spencer 2006, Turner 2002, etc.). For that purpose, thirty-six analytical articles, searched by the key word ‘terrorism (En.) / terorizmas (Lith.)’ were collected from the online archives of The Economist and www.politika.lt. The method applied to investigate the collected data is that of qualitative analysis in the theoretical framework of cognitive linguistics and conceptual metaphor theory (Чудинов 2001, Fauconnier and Turner 2002, Kövecses 2002, Lakoff 2001, 2002, etc.). The findings reveal that despite different time patterns of the collected data sources (i. e. English 2010; Lithuanian 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) the analogous metaphors of WAR, CRIME and HEALTH have been reconstructed. Their analysis shows the prevalence of pragmatic political morality to TERRORISM governed by the concepts of STRENGTH, ORDER and CONTROL. Even more, their use spreads fear of terrorism by exploiting the image of terrifying war scenes, serious criminal activities and the deadly virus rapidly contaminating social order.
Highlights
The reconstructed HEALTH metaphor demonstrates that TERRORISM in both British and Lithuanian media political discourse is perceived through the concept of DEADLY VIRUS, which requires preventative methods and immediate response, otherwise it may lead to disastrous consequences
The reconstructed TERROR metaphors in British and Lithuanian media political discourse allow indentifying the following aspects: 1. Despite the fact that data was collected from the media sources covering different time patterns, i. e. www.economist.com (2010) and www.politika. lt (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), analogous metaphors of WAR (TERRORISM IS AN EVIL ENEMY / EXTERNAL THREAT), CRIME
Political decisions related to TERRORISM are motivated by such cognates as STRENGTH, CONTROL, ORDER
Summary
TERRORISM IN MEDIA POLITICAL DISCOURSE: FROM METAPHORICAL EXPRESSIONS TO COGNITIVE MODELS. English 2010; Lithuanian 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) the analogous metaphors of WAR, CRIME and HEALTH have been reconstructed Their analysis shows the prevalence of pragmatic political morality to TERRORISM governed by the concepts of STRENGTH, ORDER and CONTROL. The political meaning of the former dates back to the late 15th century, derived from French, and was especially applied to the expulsion of Stuart dynasty under James II in 1688 and transfer of sovereignty to William and Mary (Mclean and McMillan 1996, Halsall 1997) The latter was first used in 1795 in the specific sense of government intimidation during the reign of terror in France. This historical evidence accounts for the fact of political ambiguity in using the term ‘terrorism’. The ambiguity of this abstract concept can be explained by its contextual and metaphorical contingency, as context is very much determined by metaphors
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