Conceptual metaphors and framing in Cognitive Linguistics

Abstract

This paper illustrates the essential aspects of Conceptual Metaphor Theory and framing. In particular, it presents an analysis of every-day linguistic expressions whose metaphorical nature may not be immediately recognizable. Furthermore, it discusses the implications of the use of “war” metaphors for the framing of different domains of experience: discussions, the patient-disease relationship, and the emergency situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally, it shows how the theoretical paradigm of Cognitive Linguistics has been applied to the critical analysis of public discourse: this is illustrated with examples of the representation of the migrations in Italian press headlines.