Metaphors of the Arab Spring: Figurative Construals of the Uprisings and Revolutions

Authors

  • Ludmila Torlakova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5617/jais.4636

Abstract

This paper presents some preliminary results of a project concerned with identifying and analyzing a number of Arabic metaphors used in political discourse to conceptualize the “Arab Spring.” It investigates how Modern Standard Arabic deals with new political and social issues. The study also deals with how particular metaphors were created. This requires examination from two directions: first, what kinds of language resources were used to communicate and evaluate what was happening and, second, what type of knowledge and experience was utilized as a source for the metaphors employed in the texts. Many of the metaphors are strongly connected with specific traditions, the Islamic context, and general cultural experi-ence, and some details concerning these areas are supplied.


Key words: Arab Spring, political discourse, metaphor.

How to Cite

Torlakova, L. (2017). Metaphors of the Arab Spring: Figurative Construals of the Uprisings and Revolutions. Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies, 14, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.5617/jais.4636

Issue

Section

Articles