AN ANALYSIS OF WAR LANGUAGE IN COVID 19 SPEECHES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The study aims to include the hidden ideology working behind the metaphor that is used in the speeches of both countries. It will also analyze the source domains used by both countries and will explore whether the two countries are employing similar source domains or using different source domains. Methodology: The Theoretical framework of Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA) by Charteris-Black (2004) has been employed to study the metaphors used. Main Findings: The results reveal that the USA is quite racist in its president naming the virus CHINESE VIRUS, and it appears as an authoritative, dominant, and strong nation that intends to hold its supremacy all around the world. Whereas the UK shows its nationalistic approach. The source domains of War, Enemy, soldier, Home front are found to be a similar while different source domains used are wartime president, victory in the USA, and Blitz spirit, wartime government in the UK.  Applications of this study: As the ideologies of the different governments have been linguistically assessed through the metaphorical frameworks used, this study is a helpful study to understand the stance being used by the different governments in dealing with universal problems. It can be helpful in political studies of governmental responses.