Western Media Perception of the Spy Swap 2010: What Metaphors Construe

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse the cognitive perception of the spy swap (July 8-11, 2010) in the British and American media by reconstructing metaphorical frames and examining their  implications. For that purpose, more than thirty British and American press sources were collected and analysed in the theoretical framework of cognitive linguistics (the Pragglejaz Group’s MIP). The findings reveal that the reconstructed frames of the BUSINESS, RELATIONSHIP and MORALITY metaphors in the collected sample evoke rational approach to solving political problems in the U.S. – Russia diplomatic relations. This gives evidence to the fact that despite deeply entrenched cognitive model of pragmatism on the part of Russia and the U.S. (‘world Superpowers’), Western media perceives rational politics as more acceptable thus morally right.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sal.0.21.2352