A Critical Metaphor Analysis Of Multimodal Metaphors In Chinese And American Political Cartoons On COVID-19

Metaphor is not only a linguistic phenomenon,but also a way of understanding the world.Since metaphors are inseparable from thinking and cognition,metaphors should not only exist in texts,but also in non-textual languages such as images,music,and gestures.As a linguistic phenomenon,metaphors are not neutral,but imply the user’s ideology.Although many studies have focused on the reasons behind metaphors,few people have explored the ideology behind multimodal metaphors,and there is also a lack of systematic research methods on multimodal metaphor identification and ideological analysis.This study selects 431 political cartoons on COVID-19 from China News Cartoon Network(https://www.newscartoon.com/)and US News Network(https://www.usnews.com)as data.Based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory,Critical Metaphor Analysis and Frame Theory,multimodal metaphors in Sino-US political cartoons on COVID-19 are identified,classified and analyzed.Through quantitative,qualitative and comparative analysis,mapping mechanisms and the hidden ideology with political intentions of multimodal metaphors are explored.This thesis attempts to address the following questions:1)What types of metaphor scenarios of multimodal metaphors are presented in Chinese and American political cartoons on COVID-19?2)What are the mapping mechanisms of multimodal metaphors in Chinese and American political cartoons on COVID-19?3)What are the underlying ideological reasons and intentions that lead to the choice of multimodal metaphors in Chinese and American political cartoons on COVID-19?To answer the above questions,a method for identifying and classifying multimodal metaphors based on the broad definition of multimodal metaphors and metaphor scenarios is proposed,three steps of Critical Metaphor Analysis are integrated,and Frame Theory is applied to analyze the ideology and intentions of multimodal metaphors.The research findings are obtained and listed as follows:First,cognitive similarities exist in the use of metaphor scenarios of multimodal metaphors of Sino-US political cartoons on COVID-19,for JOURNEY,LIFE,WAR,COMPETITION/GAME,HEALTH,HOLIDAY,CONSTRUCTION,and DISASTER scenarios are included,but there are differences in the frequency and purposes of the use of multimodal metaphors.Second,two mapping mechanisms in multimodal metaphors of Sino-US political cartoons on COVID-19 are identified through the interpretation of multimodal metaphors.One is that merely one source domain participates in the construction of a multimodal metaphor while the other is that two source domains are engaged in the understanding of the same target domain.Third,WARRIOR,GROUP,and HUMAN iconographic frames of reference are applied in multimodal metaphors of Chinese political cartoons on COVID-19 in light of Frame Theory,carrying forward the Chinese spirit of combating COVID-19 which is demonstrated by putting people’s lives first,nationalwide solidarity,self-sacrifice,respecting science and a sense of mission for humanity,and showing the intentions of inspiring the public,expressing gratitude to medical staff and researchers and constructing a national image of giving priority to people’s life security.WARRIOR and GROUP iconographic frames of reference are used in those of American cartoons on COVID-19,disclosing American freedom in a narrow sense and individualism and expressing dissatisfaction and criticism about anti-pandemic measures of the US government.Based on the analysis of multimodal metaphors in Chinese and American political cartoons on COVID-19,this thesis proposes a method of identifying and classifying multimodal metaphors,expanding the research on multimodal metaphors.In terms of social practice,the pandemic is a shared experience and the research on multimodal metaphors from various metaphor scenarios stimulates the resonance of groups and advocates the value of combating the pandemic confirmedly.In addition,this thesis introduces Frame Theory to analyze ideology and political intentions behind multimodal metaphors,which avoids subjectivity of the analysis and has certain reference value for the ideological research of multimodal metaphors.