A Cognitive Study Of Metonymy In Political Speeches Based On The Conceptual Integration Theory(CIT)

In the past several decades, conceptual metonymy has been widely studied as a figure of speech. This thesis studies the expressions of conceptual metonymy in political speeches with the Conceptual Integration Theory. It conducts a research on general expressions of conceptual metonymy in English political discourse in a corpus including 20 presidential campaign and reappointment speeches. The speeches are delivered by Barack Obama. The thesis applies the Conceptual Integration Theory as the theory framework building cognitive modes.The thesis analyzes the integration process of conceptual metonymy in political speeches. By the analysis of three basic types of conceptual metonymy: part-for-whole metonymy, whole-for-part metonymy and part-for-part metonymy, human beings will have a basic understanding of the formation process of conceptual metonymy. In addition, according to the characteristic of conceptual metonymy, its effects are concluded from three perspectives of linguistic, politics and emotion in the thesis.In political discourse, especially political speeches, metonymic expressions are here and there, whose effects and influences cannot be ignored. Lecturers build cognitive mode with metonymic expressions increase listeners’ sense of identity and resonance and shorten the distance with audiences. The purposes of political speeches are to promote persuasion of speeches and win the support of audiences at last.Based on a large number of instances, the findings of the thesis are to figure out the features of expressions of conceptual metonymy in political speeches. And the thesis divides them into different types. The effects of conceptual metonymy are analyzed in different ways to provide a new view for political speeches. Because there are the cross-culture and a variety of experience, some ICMs in political speeches are hard to understand. Although this thesis has some limitations at present, people still can get a definitely truth that conceptual metonymy plays a vital in political speeches. In addition, the thesis shows a cognitive perspective of conceptual metonymy for subsequent researches.