The study of metaphor as part of critical discourse analysis

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Abstract

This article discusses how the study of metaphoric and more generally, figurative language use contributes to critical discourse analysis (CDA). It shows how cognitive linguists’ recognition of metaphor as a fundamental means of concept- and argument-building can add to CDA's account of meaning constitution in the social context. It then discusses discrepancies between the early model of conceptual metaphor theory and empirical data and argues that discursive-pragmatic factors as well as sociolinguistic variation have to be taken into account in order to make cognitive analyses more empirically and socially relevant. In conclusion, we sketch a modified cognitive approach informed by Relevance Theory within CDA.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)301-310
Number of pages10
JournalCritical Discourse Studies
Volume9
Issue number3
Early online date25 May 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

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