Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Faculty of Law & Political Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
2
Ph.D Candidate, Faculty of Law & Political Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Language, as one of the most important sources in the formation of experiences and semantic systems, is never "neutral" and the meaning is influenced by the context or the social and cultural context as much as it comes from the "text". These linguistic units, together with the situational context, establish a relationship between the text and the ideology that is inculcated in society through "metaphor".
The relationship between language and the state has been the subject of extensive research in cognitive linguistics and political science. One such topic is conceptual metaphors and their function in increasing legitimacy and realizing ideological viewpoints in official speeches, including presidential inaugurations. Therefore, the central question is: What metaphorical framework does the language of the 13th government employ within the political cognitive landscape?
Methodology
Pragglejaz is employed as a tool for identifying metaphors. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of the text, including speeches, the source domain of conflict and the target domain of politics are determined. In conceptual metaphors, the metaphorical direction is from left to right, moving from the concrete source domain to the abstract target domain. The main question is: what form of metaphor does the language of the 13th government use in the mental space of politics? The hypothesis is based on the fact that the extra-linguistic implications and internal practices of government speech units consist of two concepts: moral agonist and political antagonist.
Findings
The findings of this study are discussed under the following themes:
Religious Politics and In-Out Image Schema
Grounded in the intertwined concepts of religion and politics, governance is predicated upon a teleological understanding of history. Consequently, the ontological nature of the political must be analyzed through the lens of inevitable antagonistic approaches, manifested as a perennial conflict. Thus, the President's inaugural address, marked by the metaphorical language of "conflict," offers a tangible manifestation of these ideas, positioning this confrontation as an inherent tension between "us" and "them."
Quality of Life and the Part-Whole Schema
As an integral part of society, the government is obligated to transform the existing state of affairs into a more desirable one, thereby improving the quality of life. The schema of "part-whole" serves as a representation of this framework. Within this causal chain, the agent (the government), with the intention of performing an action, mobilizes a "part" or "all" of its body (the government body) to initiate the causal event (the change in status). The metaphors of "foot" and "step," as a body part and a path, respectively, are conceptualized within the framework of the "Government Is Person" metaphor and the part-whole schema.
Ethical Politics and the Link Schema
Politics is understood as the pursuit of the good life and justice, aligning with ethics to foster a flourishing life for citizens. The realization of human flourishing, encompassing moral development, economic prosperity, and education, is intrinsically linked to practical wisdom and the ethical conduct of both the government and its citizens, who bear reciprocal duties. Consequently, Raisi's characterization of the Second step document as "wise" and penned by a "sage leader" reflects a the link schema, emphasizing the interconnectedness of political and ethical endeavors.
Analysis
In his inauguration speech on August 3, 2021, Ebrahim Raisi employed three conceptual frameworks to articulate political antagonism and the relationship between ethics and politics. Firstly, he utilized the "container" schema to establish boundaries between "us" and "them," as well as "in" and "out." Secondly, he employed the "part-whole" schema, conceptualizing the government as a component of a larger whole. Thirdly, he employed the "link" schema to describe the interconnectedness of ethics and politics. Additionally, Raisi structured his argument around the three components of language, mind, and culture, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the relationship between politics and ethics.
Conclusion
The metaphorical language employed to describe the government is derived from a dual-faceted mental model: Aristotelian virtue ethics and political exemplarity. Virtue ethics, while concerned with moral value, also seeks to answer the fundamental question of "how one ought to be." In the thought of Raisi and Islamic thinkers, the metaphor of "The Government Is a Ship," with the president and other authorities as its captain, aligns with the conceptual metaphor of "Life iIs a journey." This metaphor, by specifying an origin, destination, and potential obstacles, allows for the correction or confrontation of any deviations or divisions within the journey.
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