The source domain “storm” in metaphor discourse about the Covid-19 epidemic in Vietnamese online newspaper

Abstract

This paper conducts an analysis of metaphors with the source domain “storm” in articles about the Covid-19 epidemic in Vietnamese online newspapers. There are two main questions that the study attempts to answer: ‘What mechanism of thinking leads to the use of metaphors with the source domain “storm” to discuss the virus Sars-CoV-2 in media coverage of the COVID-19 epidemic in Vietnamese online newspapers?’ and ‘Why do Vietnamese reporters and editors often use metaphors from the source domain “storm” to garner thought over Sars-CoV-2, notably during the period of the COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam?’. Based on the linkages embedded in the experience and knowledge projected from the source domain to the target domain,the paper aims to clarify the mapping mechanism between spatial domains ‘storm’ and ‘Covid-19 epidemic’, explaining the movement mechanics and calquing characteristics between spatial domains ‘source’ and ‘target’ in the language thinking process of the authors. Based on the partial projection principles of metaphors, this paper clarifies the hierarchical characteristics present in the authors’ conceptual thinking. Through the mapping structure, the paper proves the appearance of 2 derived metaphors in Vietnamese online newspaper relating to 2 outstanding characteristics of the source domain such as: types of storms, negative effects and consequences caused by storms. Based on the logical relationship in the mapping organization of conceptual metaphors, this research paper will point to the specific way of thinking present in the conceptual structure of the pandemic and contribute to shedding light on the thinking of Vietnamese media on the pandemic and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as a global catastrophe.