INVESTIGATING KINAESTHETIC IMAGE SCHEMAS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SELF AND THE OTHER IN BUSH'S DISCOURSE OF THE WAR ON TERROR: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
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Date
2010-12
Authors
NAIDU, SIVABALA
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Abstract
This study investigates kinaesthetic image schemas (KIS) involved in the
discursive construction of the self and other in 24 radio addresses pertaining to the
War on Terror articulated by the former US President, George W. Bush. The
speeches were investigated according to two broad divisions: the pre-war and post
war corpuses, each consisting of 12 speeches.
The main theory that informs this study is the cognitive theory of metaphor
developed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980). Specifically, this study attempted to
identify the types of KIS based on linguistic triggers or cues and tabulate their
frequencies of occurrence in relation to the positive-us and negative-other
construction embedded in the speeches. For this purpose, eight KIS were
specifically selected as the basis of categorisation of the linguistic cues: UP
DOWN, FRONT BACK, SIZE, CONTAINER, CENTRE PERIPHERY, LINK, PART
WHOLE and PATH schemas.
Subsequently, a socio-cognitive Critical Discourse Analysis framework was applied
to interpret and explain the bipolar positive-us and negative-other representation in
the two sets of corp uses in relation to the eight image schemas. The study also
attempted to establish the institutional mental models (or underlying attitudes)
inherent in the radio addresses. Finally, the most dominant image schematic
structures and the mental models were used to establish a list of conceptual
metaphors that are thought to permeate the entire 24 radio addresses related to
the War on Terror.
On the whole, this study illustrates that KIS in discourse can be investigated from a
critical discourse analytical perspective to gain insights into the ideological
viewpoints that organise the attitudes shared by members of a group from where
the discourse originates. In addition, this study has also shown that the most
dominant conceptual metaphors present in discourse, which also reveal the
underlying attitudes and beliefs, can be established on the basis of the kinaesthetic
image schematic patterns.
This study, thus, recommends that more research integrating socio-cognitive and
critical approaches to the study of discourse pertaining to the other is conducted to
better understand how cognitive frameworks (such as metaphors) present in the
mind are manifested linguistically. This will bring about a greater awareness on
how negative out-group ideology is perpetuated in discourse, subsequently
presenting opportunities for scholars to initiate counter-cognitive models to
challenge negative stereotypes about the other.
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Keywords
INVESTIGATING KINAESTHETIC IMAGE , THE WAR ON TERROR