ОППОЗИТИВНЫЕ МЕТАФОРИЧЕСКИЕ МОДЕЛИ В НЕМЕЦКОМ ПОЛИТИЧЕСКОМ ДИСКУРСЕ

Научная статья
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18454/RULB.6.38
Выпуск: № 2 (6), 2016
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Аннотация

Статья посвящена анализу метафор, моделирующих образ канцлера Германии А. Меркель в немецкоязычной прессе. В результате анализа было выявлено 8 бинарных метафорических конструкций, структурирующихся двумя компонентами, один из которых несет положительную коннотацию (PM), другой – отрицательную (NM). Статистический анализ языкового материала позволил нам прийти к выводу о том, что оценка деятельности А. Меркель практически амбивалентна с незначительным преобладанием положительной оценки.

Political metaphorology as the theory and practice of research metaphors in political communication emerged in the process of interaction between the two leading branches of modern linguistics - metaforology and political linguistics. Currently, the political metaphor is leading the way of thinking and reasoning tool having a strong pragmatic effect [5, P. 85].

The research of metaphorization process as a way of thinking and reasoning tool in political communication is based on understanding a metaphor as a means of description of the political picture of the world [5, P. 85].

From the 1980s the cognitive theory of metaphor is applied to the basic terms of political discourse [10, P. 63-65]. Metaphor in political discourse has been studied as a thinking model in the frame of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff 1990); [9]; [7]; [8].

The metaphor is based on the demonstration of similarity or analogy. Formation of the metaphorical model is based on stereotyped images of specific organizing experience and knowledge of the world in every ethnic culture (Lakoff & Johnson, 1990); [3].

Metaphors have also been a research interest in the field of political communication research [13]; [6]; [12].

Previous research has shown that metaphors increase in news discourse during critical periods, such as a war or an election [15].

Political metaphor study is undertaken by the American [6]; [7]; [8], the Russian [5]; [1], the German [11]; [14] scientists.

The study of the role of metaphor in the German political discourse is a new research problem [2]; [3]; [4].

Our discourse analysis is based on the 166 text fragments from the German political magazines "Der Spiegel" and "Focus" which  verbalize the assessment of A. Merkel's activity during the third period of her chancellorship – from  September 2015 till February 2016. It covers such  global political events as war in Ukraine, war in Syria, the influx of refugees from Muslim countries to Germany and discord  between the Western countries and the EU countries.

Discourse analysis of the texts of the mentioned period allowed to define that the fragment of the metaphorical field of socio-personal concept Kanzlerin Angela Merkel “Chancellor Angela Merkel” is structured by 8 binary  metaphorical constructions. Each binary metaphorical structure is formed by two components, one of which carries a positive connotation (PM), the other  a  negative one (NM).

The binary metaphorical couple Angela Merkel - die mächtigste Frau der Welt “Angela Merkel - the world's most powerful woman of ” and Angela Merkel - angeblich mächtigste Frau der Welt “Angela Merkel – allegedly the world's most powerful woman”, is represented by the metaphor of supreme power and the antimetaphor of supreme authority. The positive component describes Merkel's contribution to the world politics and her achievements in the field of international settlement, while the negative component reflects Merkel's condoning to the influx of refugees from Muslim countries, which causes discord between the parties.

The oppositive metaphorical pair is represented by the positively marked  cognitive model A. M. – Retterin der europäischen Idee “AM - a savior of the European idea” (protectionist metaphor), which is by  opposed to the four negatively marked variative models: 1) A. M. -  Zerstörerin der europäischen Idee “AM - a destroyer of the European idea” (metaphor for destruction); 2) A. M. -  die grӧsste Bedrohung für Europa “AM - the biggest threat to Europe” (military metaphor); 3) A. M. -  ein Hemmnis für den Aufschwung in Europa “AM – an obstacle to the development of Europe” (obstructive metaphor) and 4) A. M. -  Volksverräterin “AM - a traitor of the people” (military metaphor).

The binary metaphorical couple A. M. – Retterin der europäischen Idee “AM – a  savior of the European idea” and A. M. -  Zerstörerin der europäischen Idee “AM – a  destroyer of the European idea” estimates Merkel's policy towards Greece, due to the economic collapse in the country ambivalently. The negative components (NM2, NM3) reflects unfavorable for the EU countries economic actions undertaken by A. Merkel. The variative model (NM4) expresses dissatisfaction with the the German citizens by Angela Merkel's policy towards the influx of refugees.

The  metaphorical construction below represents the  ambivalent evaluation of Merkel's policy towards  Greece. The positive component of the model is verbalized by the model  A. M. - die letzte Hoffnung Griechenlands “AM - the last hope of Greece” (psychological metaphor), and negative - model A. M. - die Hauptschuldige “AM - the main culprit” (criminal metaphor). The positive component describes Merkel's growing popularity in Greece caused by the provision of credit The negative component reflects the attitude towards Merkel before granting a loan during the period of austerity.

The metaphors of war and peace are reflected in the binary metaphorical construction represented by two positive models (PM1, PM2): A. M. - Friedensengel “AM – a peace angel” (biblical metaphor) and A. M. - die Reisende in Sachen Frieden “AM – a traveler with a peaceful mission” (tourist metaphor), which is opposed to the negative cognitive metaphorical model (NM1) A.M. - Kriegskanzlerin “AM – a war chancellor” (military metaphor). The positively marked  model objectifies Merkel's peace support in Europe. The negatively marked model describes the refusal to take military action in the fight against terrorism.

The next binary metaphorical structure is represented by the positively marked cognitive model A. M. - ein Vorbild “AM - an example to follow” (standard metaphor), which is opposed to a negative model labeled A. M. - nicht als Vorbild “AM - an example not to be followed” (antimetaphor of reference). The positive component objectifies leadership qualities of Chancellor. The negative component emphasizes the lack of interest to support women's rights, which is explained by the masculine features in her image.

The binary metaphorical structure below represents two positively estimated variative models (PM1, PM2): A. M. - Deutschland-Therapeutin “AM – a therapist of Germany” (medical metaphor), and A.M. - erfolgreiche Krisenmanagerin “AM - a successful crisis manager” (the metaphor of management), which are opposed to the negatively marked metaphorical model (NM1) A.M. - die Person, die Deutschland ruiniert “AM - a person who destroys Germany” (the metaphor of destruction). Positively marked models (PM1, PM2) describe A. Merkel as a prospective and strategically successful politician. The negative cognitive component expresses displeasure of the Germans due to the European refugee crisis in Germany.

The following contrastive metaphorical structure is represented by two positively marked components (PM1, PM2) A. M. - Bindeglied zwischen den Kontinenten “AM - a link between the continents” (mediation metaphor), and A.M. - als Vermittlerin zu Russland “AM – an intermediary   between Russia and the West” (mediation metaphor), which is opposed to the model A.M. - wie eine Art Gesandte Obamas “AM - a kind of Obama's messenger” (the metaphor of mediation). The positive evaluation components objectified Merkel's diplomatic skills as a mediator. The negative evaluation component objectifies the fact that Merkel is the conductor of Obama's policy in Europe.

The last oppositive metaphorical pair described  is structured by the positively marked model A.M. - Politprofi “AM – a politprofi” (the  metaphor of  management) and the negatively  marked model A. M. - wie ein Schulmädchen “AM - as a schoolgirl” (school metaphor). The positive component describes Merkel as an intelligent and subtle politician, while the negative one rejects the existence of these qualities.

Thus, 8 binary metaphorical structures being analyzed, two of which involve ambivalent assessments of Merkel’s policy to resolve the crisis in Greece.

So we come to the conclusion that discourse analysis revealed that these models represent Angela Merkel as an authoritative world politician, a peacemaker, a mediator and a talented strategist.

The positively marked components of metaphorical constractures verbalized the socio-personal concept Kanzlerin Angela Merkel “Chancellor Angela Merkel” were explicated by the metaphor protection (22), psychological metaphor (17), Bible metaphor (10), the metaphor of tourism (11), medical metaphor (4), the metaphor of standard (7) and the metaphor of management (24).

The positively marked models form the conceptual vector of creation, adjustment, reflecting Angela Merkel's contribution to the regulation of the situation in Europe.

The negatively marked components metaphorical constructions are represented by school metaphor (2) and the metaphor of obstruction (8), the criminal metaphor (13), the metaphors of destruction (17), the antimetaphor of supreme power (27) and the antimetaphor of standard (5).

At the same time, the positive assessment prevails.

The negative estimation models form the cognitive vector of ruin and destruction, stressing the effects Angela Merkel's policy of globalism and multiculturalism in Germany and the EU countries; ignorance of feminism views; implementation of Obama's aggressive policy.

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