Unpacking Metaphor-related Prepositions in Political Discourse: From Polysemous to Powerful

This book explores why English prepositions are used more frequently in figurative language than nouns and verbs, using corpus-based evidence to examine the most often used prepositions and how they are employed and for what purpose. It integrates conceptual metaphor theory, diachronic linguistics, and discourse pragmatics to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of prepositions in figurative language. The study of English prepositions will interest scholars in pragmatics, metaphor studies, English language, rhetoric studies, and historical linguistics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 108 pages
Publication date: 27 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate realm of why English prepositions are favored over nouns and verbs in figurative language, employing a corpus-based approach to examine the most commonly used prepositions and their diverse applications. While research on cognitive approaches to metaphor has witnessed a remarkable expansion in recent decades, prepositions, due to their multifaceted, intricate, and inconsistent nature, have received relatively limited attention. To address this gap, Ounis presents a groundbreaking conceptual framework that seamlessly integrates conceptual metaphor theory, diachronic linguistics, and discourse pragmatics. By drawing upon an extensive corpus of American presidential inaugural addresses, this book explores the linguistic, conceptual, pragmatic, and contextual dimensions of English prepositions, unveiling the fascinating interplay between language, culture, and cognition. This volume holds immense appeal to scholars engaged in pragmatics, metaphor studies, English language, rhetoric studies, and historical linguistics, offering valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of figurative language usage.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032431611