Vol. 2 (S) Jun. 2020

Article ID. JHSSR-1049-2020[S]

A Critical Metaphor Analysis on Malaysia’s Gazetted Metaphors amid the Movement Control Order: A COVID-19 Episode

Angela Rumina Leo and Maya Khemlani David

Keywords:

Coronavirus crisis, Malaysia, Movement Control Order, Metaphor Identification Procedure, Critical Metaphor Analysis, metaphor identification, metaphor interpretation, metaphor explanation, COVID-19

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Abstract:

The turbulent times of the Coronavirus crisis is a world-changing episode that keeps every single adult on the planet pondering not only on the silhouette of the new black but also on the mushrooming metaphors. As a linguistic representation emerging upon a shift in word or phrase usage at the unexpected context of occurrence, the metaphor thereby causes semantic tension. Nevertheless, the gazetted metaphors in the mainstream English newspapers amid the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia is distinctive. Implementing the Pragglejaz’s Metaphor Identification Procedure, this study attempts to highlight and reveal its figurative meaning. In order to yield a comprehensive elucidation of these conceptual expressions; the analytical framework of this study constitutes a combination of the linguistic, cognitive, and pragmatic standards to rationalize these metaphors. The data of this study is analysed via a three-stepped Critical Metaphor Analysis that comprises metaphor identification, metaphor interpretation, and metaphor explanation.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2020.v2.nS.id1049.p193