The Conceptual Metaphor of Crime in English Media Discourse
Keywords:
Conceptual metaphor, crime discourse, media framing, public perception, cognitive linguistics, metaphor analysis, qualitative research, law enforcement, policy responseAbstract
This study explores the conceptual metaphor of crime within English media discourse, analyzing how figurative language used by the media influences public perceptions of crime, criminals, and justice. Framing strategies such as metaphorical representations serve to shape collective attitudes and reinforce ideological positions in society, often without the audience's conscious awareness.
A qualitative methodology grounded in Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) was employed. A purposive sample of 100 English-language news articles published over the last five years was analyzed using thematic coding. Metaphorical expressions were identified and categorized into core conceptual domains to assess their frequency, function, and socio-political implications.
The analysis revealed dominant metaphorical frameworks such as "crime as disease," "crime as war," and "crime as game." These metaphors not only frame crime as a threat to public order but also justify policy responses such as militarized policing, increased surveillance, and punitive justice. Metaphors like "epidemic of violence" or "war on drugs" construct crime as an external, uncontrollable force, prompting urgency and fear in public discourse.
The findings demonstrate that metaphorical framing in crime reporting is far from neutral; rather, it significantly impacts public consciousness and legislative agendas. The paper argues for a critical awareness of how language mediates social realities and stresses the importance of developing more balanced, humane media narratives around crime and justice.
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