Conceptualizing parenthood: American newspaper discourse analysis

Authors

  • Iryna Matiiash-Hnediuk

    Department of English Philology, Vasyl Stefanyk National Precarpathian University
  • Tetiana Soloviova

    Department of English Philology, Vasyl Stefanyk National Precarpathian University
  • Iryna Bilianska

    Department of English Philology, Vasyl Stefanyk National Precarpathian University
  • Vita Yurchyshyn

    Department of English Philology, Vasyl Stefanyk National Precarpathian University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59400/fls.v6i1.1987

Abstract

This study aims to elucidate the metaphorical representations of the concept PARENT within American media discourse. By analyzing the conceptual metaphors employed in newspaper discourse, we seek to reconstruct the metaphorically derived understanding of parenthood within English-speaking community. These conceptual metaphors, crafted by media presenters, exert a profound influence on the societal comprehension of this concept, both directly and indirectly. The study draws upon the Conceptual Metaphor theory, Conceptual Integration theory, and Discourse analysis. Within the scope of our investigation, the target domain PARENT encompasses four primary source domains: DUTIES, DIFFICULTIES, OWNER, and BURDEN. Our emphasis lies in scrutinizing the cross-domain mappings, which delineate systematic correspondences between the target and source domains. We investigate novel conceptualizations that emerge from conventional metaphoric patterns, employing cognitive mechanisms such as extension, elaboration, questioning, and combination. We also explore the conceptual blends and emergent structures that introduce additional layers of interpretation of being a parent. They are elucidated using Conceptual Integration Networks, specifically double- and multiple-scope models. Our analysis has unveiled the existence of four metaphorical clusters, each providing unique perspectives on how parenthood is conceptualized within the newspaper discourse.

Keywords:

conceptual metaphor, conceptual integration network, mapping, media discourse, discourse analysis, cognitive devices

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Vol. 6 , Iss. 1 (March 2024)

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Article

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Copyright © 2024 Iryna Matiiash-Hnediuk, Tetiana Soloviova, Iryna Bilianska, Vita Yurchyshyn

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.