Conceptual Metaphor in Political Discourse: A Semantic Analysis of Four State of the Union Addresses Delivered by George W. Bush

Abstract

In conceptual metaphor theory, metaphor plays a fw1damental role in how we understand our world. Metaphorical models help us understand one domain of knowledge in terms of other, different domains. According to linguist George Lakoff, one example of conceptual metaphor can be seen in politics. He argues that we have a metaphorical understanding of our nation as a family. Lakoff claims that two of the major political ideologies in the United States, conservatism and liberalism, are metaphorically based on the Strict Father family model and the Nurturant Parent model, respectively. This study looks for evidence of these metaphors in political discoµrse through a semantic analysis of four State of the Union Addresses delivered by George W. Bush. Although there is little explicit metaphor, the language is consistent with the entailments of the Strict Father model.