This thesis investigates the use of WAR and JOURNEY metaphors in male and female cancer patient narratives. The narratives were analyzed to see whether the use of these metaphors could reveal a...Show moreThis thesis investigates the use of WAR and JOURNEY metaphors in male and female cancer patient narratives. The narratives were analyzed to see whether the use of these metaphors could reveal a difference in the way men and women experience illness. The metaphors were analyzed to see whether they were used in a positive/negative or empowering/disempowering way. The results of the study revealed that both men and women used JOURNEY metaphors more frequently than WAR metaphors to describe illness experience. Overall, relatively speaking, men used WAR and JOURNEY metaphors as frequently as women to describe illness experience. However, the female narratives were generally longer than the male narratives, which caused women to use more metaphors absolutely speaking. Positive and empowering WAR and JOURNEY metaphors were used most frequently in the narratives to describe illness experience for both men and women. Contrary to findings of previous research, the results revealed that both men and women use WAR metaphors more frequently in a positive and empowering way than in a negative and disempowering way to describe illness experience. The results of this study contribute to existing research and also provide new findings in this topic area. The findings of the research could benefit both patients and healthcare professionals and create an awareness of the differences between men and women in the way they experience illness in relation to metaphor use.Show less
In this thesis I explore the notion of Linguistic Manipulation (i.e. manipulation through the use of language) by using Austin & Searle’s Speech Act Theory, Grice’s Cooperative Principle, Brown...Show moreIn this thesis I explore the notion of Linguistic Manipulation (i.e. manipulation through the use of language) by using Austin & Searle’s Speech Act Theory, Grice’s Cooperative Principle, Brown & Levinson’s Politeness Theory and Lakoff & Johnson’s Conceptual Metaphor Theory in an attempt to create a framework of linguistic manipulative acts. This involves looking at the concept of Linguistic Manipulation as a two-layered concept involving an internal and external requirement that works together for an optimal chance of success of the manipulative act. The framework presented offers three different strategies of presenting a perlocutionary act that differ in estimated risk assessment for the speaker.Show less
This thesis tests the premise that there is a connection between bodily trauma and meaning, and thus between words and wounds, reflected in the metaphorical usage of the word ‘wound’ in Shakespeare...Show moreThis thesis tests the premise that there is a connection between bodily trauma and meaning, and thus between words and wounds, reflected in the metaphorical usage of the word ‘wound’ in Shakespeare’s plays Titus Andronicus and Coriolanus. Conceptual metaphor theory, which claims that our thinking is metaphorical in nature, is used to ascertain the underlying metaphorical concepts that demonstrate that ‘wounds’ are indeed connected to the concept of meaning. The linguistic analyses are aided by the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP). Moreover, the metaphor of the wounded body reflects both the language and the political realities of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.Show less
