POLITICS OF METAPHOR: AN ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY PAKISTANI POLITICIANS’ INTERVIEWS

Abstract

Metaphor is the epicenter of any political discourse through which messages and ideologies are delivered. This paper focuses on the use of metaphors in the selected interviews of contemporary Pakistani politicians. The research aims to bring forth the purpose and ideology conveyed through the use of certain metaphors by the politicians.  Critical metaphor theory and socio-cognitive approach were employed as the theoretical underpinning for this research study. The selected data consisted of eight English interviews given by four contemporary Pakistani politicians to the international media, on different occasions. All of the eight interviews were analyzed through the process of identification which is based on the identification of themes and then examples in particular categories. The findings revealed frequent usage of particular type of metaphors by the selected politicians. The most common metaphoric themes included battle, journey, hope and emotion. These categories depict how politicians frame their language to convey their ideologies. Overall, the interviews present a vast array of metaphors, which indirectly shows the persuasive strategies. The research recommends the study of metaphors in other areas of political discourse.