Abstract: Ever since Lakoff introduced conceptual metaphor, the study of metaphor has ushered in a new era, that is to analyze metaphor from the perspective of cognitive linguistics. By means of the three-step approach of metaphor analysis and with the theoretical framework of conceptual metaphor, this thesis attempts to probe into the working mechanism and unique effects of metaphor in political discourse and further expound the ideologies hidden behind. Thus this thesis takes news coverage of terrorist attacks in France as a case which has stirred up hot discussion and wide-spread attention. Moreover the cause-and-effect relation deeply rooted behind this event is on the whole quite intricate and complicated, involving numerous nations and particularly their interests. Therefore in this sense, these discourses are worthy of exploration. Through the entire analysis the thesis will finally uncover the covert motivations of the metaphor use and the western media’s attitudes towards this international issue and their ideologies as well.

Key words: conceptual metaphor; ideology; political discourse; terrorist attack

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Conceptual Metaphor Theory-2

1.2 Metaphor and Politics-3

1.2.1 Metaphors in Political News Discourse-3

1.2.2 Ideology in Political News Discourse-5

1.3 Approach to Critical Metaphor Analysis-6

2. The Study of Metaphor in News Reports on Terrorist Attacks in France-7

2.1 Conflict Metaphors-7

2.2 Journey Metaphors-8

2.3 Human Metaphor-9

2.4 Animal Metaphor-10

2.5 Business Metaphor-11

3. Ideology Embodied in Political Discourse-12

3.1 Fraternity-12

3.2 Capitalism-14

3.3 Secularism-16

3.4 Individualism-19

3.5 Jingoism-21

4. Conclusion-23

References-25