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The Use of Metaphors and Similes in Political Discourse in Ghana

Received: 15 June 2021     Accepted: 24 June 2021     Published: 8 July 2021
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Abstract

In this study, we examine how ordinary citizens use metaphors and similes in their contributions to political discussions in Ghana. We argue that the use of these figurative language devices is a subtle means by which citizens expose politicians and question their competence in handling national issues. They also serve as means of minimizing direct vilification of politicians in the political space of Ghana. In fact, when metaphors and similes are employed within a particular discourse, one has to understand the context in which they have been used as well as the specific communicative function they convey in order to arrive at the desired interpretation. Using Lakoff and Johnson’s (1980) Conceptual Metaphor Theory, data collected from purposively selected and transcribed radio recordings as well as online commentaries, were critically analysed. The analysis revealed that ordinary citizens use metaphors and similes to surreptitiously expose the way and manner in which politicians run the country. Also, metaphors and similes serve as communication tools to mitigate the effect of otherwise direct attacks on politicians in Ghana. This study has implication for the relationship between political communication and society.

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16
Page(s) 180-187
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Metaphor, Simile, Conceptual Metaphor Theory, Political Discourse, Ghana

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Emmanuel Amo Ofori, Charlotte Ogbedee Laryea, Benjamin Kubi, Vera Yayrah Fiawornu. (2021). The Use of Metaphors and Similes in Political Discourse in Ghana. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 9(4), 180-187. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16

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    ACS Style

    Emmanuel Amo Ofori; Charlotte Ogbedee Laryea; Benjamin Kubi; Vera Yayrah Fiawornu. The Use of Metaphors and Similes in Political Discourse in Ghana. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2021, 9(4), 180-187. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16

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    AMA Style

    Emmanuel Amo Ofori, Charlotte Ogbedee Laryea, Benjamin Kubi, Vera Yayrah Fiawornu. The Use of Metaphors and Similes in Political Discourse in Ghana. Int J Lang Linguist. 2021;9(4):180-187. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16,
      author = {Emmanuel Amo Ofori and Charlotte Ogbedee Laryea and Benjamin Kubi and Vera Yayrah Fiawornu},
      title = {The Use of Metaphors and Similes in Political Discourse in Ghana},
      journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
      volume = {9},
      number = {4},
      pages = {180-187},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20210904.16},
      abstract = {In this study, we examine how ordinary citizens use metaphors and similes in their contributions to political discussions in Ghana. We argue that the use of these figurative language devices is a subtle means by which citizens expose politicians and question their competence in handling national issues. They also serve as means of minimizing direct vilification of politicians in the political space of Ghana. In fact, when metaphors and similes are employed within a particular discourse, one has to understand the context in which they have been used as well as the specific communicative function they convey in order to arrive at the desired interpretation. Using Lakoff and Johnson’s (1980) Conceptual Metaphor Theory, data collected from purposively selected and transcribed radio recordings as well as online commentaries, were critically analysed. The analysis revealed that ordinary citizens use metaphors and similes to surreptitiously expose the way and manner in which politicians run the country. Also, metaphors and similes serve as communication tools to mitigate the effect of otherwise direct attacks on politicians in Ghana. This study has implication for the relationship between political communication and society.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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    T1  - The Use of Metaphors and Similes in Political Discourse in Ghana
    AU  - Emmanuel Amo Ofori
    AU  - Charlotte Ogbedee Laryea
    AU  - Benjamin Kubi
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    Y1  - 2021/07/08
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16
    T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
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    JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-0221
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210904.16
    AB  - In this study, we examine how ordinary citizens use metaphors and similes in their contributions to political discussions in Ghana. We argue that the use of these figurative language devices is a subtle means by which citizens expose politicians and question their competence in handling national issues. They also serve as means of minimizing direct vilification of politicians in the political space of Ghana. In fact, when metaphors and similes are employed within a particular discourse, one has to understand the context in which they have been used as well as the specific communicative function they convey in order to arrive at the desired interpretation. Using Lakoff and Johnson’s (1980) Conceptual Metaphor Theory, data collected from purposively selected and transcribed radio recordings as well as online commentaries, were critically analysed. The analysis revealed that ordinary citizens use metaphors and similes to surreptitiously expose the way and manner in which politicians run the country. Also, metaphors and similes serve as communication tools to mitigate the effect of otherwise direct attacks on politicians in Ghana. This study has implication for the relationship between political communication and society.
    VL  - 9
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Author Information
  • Department of Ghanaian Languages and Linguistics, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

  • Department of Ghanaian Languages and Linguistics, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

  • Department of Ghanaian Languages and Linguistics, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

  • Department of Ghanaian Languages and Linguistics, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

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