In the present paper we examine the use of non-technical terms used to refer to the SARS-Cov2 virus, which-in a deliberate or non-deliberate fashion-stress the place of the virus' origin. In particular, we consider the three following terms: Chinese virus, Wuhan virus, and Asian virus. Drawing on the cognitive semantics methodology, in particular, the notion of meaning potentials (Norén & Linell, 2007) and conceptual blending theory (Fauconnier & Turner, 2003; Brandt & Brandt, 2005; Oakley & Coulson, 2008) we aim to investigate the dynamics of meaning construal of the selected expressions in English-language Internet discourse. The main objective is to account for different interpretations of the same expressions as they are used in different contexts with, presumably, various intentions. Complex expressions such as compounds, tend to exhibit various meanings and thus, can be said to possess different meaning potentials which are activated differently depending on the contextual circumstances in the process of meaning construal, which-as we want to show in our analysis-is not always so intuitive. In this paper we thus argue that only a pragmatically-enriched model of dynamic meaning construal can account for the polysemy and frequent ambiguity of compound expressions, including semantic extensions with generally derogatory or even outright racist connotations.
The aim of the article is to examine the language used by an emerging online community known as incels. Incels are “involuntarily celibate” men who gather online to share their frustration and resentment. They blame their predicament on their alleged ugliness, as well as on the structure of modern Western society in general, and women’s behaviour in particular. Hate speech and violent language flourish on incel online forums to such an extent that most of their websites are taken down, one by one, due to breaches of rules around violent content. In the present article I aim to analyze the language used by incels, focusing on the dehumanizing metaphors used in order to describe women, who are the main target of incels’ hatred. This paper was realized within the theoretical framework of cognitive linguistics and critical discourse analysis with special emphasis on conceptual metaphor theory.
The present paper deals with the use of deliberate metaphors in the political discourse. The potential of dehumanising metaphors to create derogatory descriptions used to disparage one’s political opponents is analysed. Also, metaphorical descriptions prove to be very productive in creating polysemy in previously monosemous items which are used in a new capacity in order to create an effect of novelty and surprise. This function appears especially useful in the language of politics in general, and the language of British politics in particular. The paper is maintained within the methodological framework of cognitive linguistics, focusing on the theories of conceptual metaphor and conceptual metonymy.
In the context of a vast body of research on the role and function of conceptual metaphor in linguistic representation of non-dominant or non-normative social groups, the present paper deals with metaphorical blending found in a number of expressions used to describe deliberately single people forming part of the Japanese society. Expressions such as parasaito shinguru ("parasite singles"), sōshoku-kei danshi ("herbivorous men"), and himono onna ("dried-fish women") are used as labels designating particular groups of people who do not conform to conventional societal roles because of, for example, failing to marry and establish a family in, what is considered, due time. The Japanese language often reflects very conservative, conformist, and ritual-abiding attitudes and mindsets of its speakers and hence, is rife with derogatory expressions which serve to denigrate non-conforming elements of a society. The expressions analysed here are culturally-determined and mirror, at least partially, the mindsets and opinions of some of the Japanese speakers. The present paper is maintained within the methodological framework of cognitive semantics. We conduct a conceptual blending analysis of selected metaphorical expressions found in the Japanese discourse. We find a strong trend towards employing conceptual blends based on dehumanising, often animalising, metaphors in order to linguistically denigrate groups non-conforming to expected societal norms.
Dialogue plays a most important role in interpersonal relations creating and strengthening social cohesion. Conversely, the lack of dialogue – and more tellingly a deliberate resistance to it – leads to social friction and animosity. In this paper I focus on a strategy used to intentionally disable a possibility of a meaningful dialogue and to deny any voice to the “other”. Dehumanising the “other” by linguistically representing them as animals or machines exempts the perpetrator from any obligation towards the “other”, including the obligation to respect their rights. I adopt Haslam’s model of dehumanisation (2006) which shows how, by means of metaphorical language, women are dehumanised and denied the possibility to participate in a meaningful dialogue in the so called manosphere.
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