Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Fundamentals
16
9
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TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
16-19
DOI
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
13 June 2025
ACCEPTED
07 July 2025
PUBLISHED
11 August 2025
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue08 2025
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
Cognitive Analysis of
Metaphor and Emotions
in Political Discourse: The
Case of The President of
Uzbekistan’s Speeches
Axmadjonova
Nargizaxon Yo‘lchiboy qizi
Researcher at Kokand State University, Uzbekistan
Abstract:
This article analyzes the role of metaphor and
emotions in political discourse from the perspective of
cognitive linguistics. The research object consists of
official speeches delivered by the President of
Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, between 2016 and
2024. The study identifies the main conceptual
metaphor models
–
“journey”, “house/building”,
“struggle/battle”, and “nature/renewal” –
and
examines their communicative functions. Emotional
elements such as hope, pride, responsibility, and
motivation, used in the speeches, are also analyzed to
reveal their role in inspiring, uniting, and shaping public
consciousness.
The
results
demonstrate
that
metaphors and emotions in presidential speeches serve
not merely as stylistic ornamentation but as powerful
cognitive tools for conceptualizing and conveying
political ideas.
Keywords:
Political discourse, metaphor, emotion,
cognitive linguistics, Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s speeches,
conceptual metaphor, communicative functions,
inspiration, public consciousness, audience impact.
INTRODUCTION:
The cognitive mechanisms underlying
the use of metaphors and the expression of emotions
in political discourse, focusing on the speeches of the
President of Uzbekistan. Drawing on Conceptual
Metaphor Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980) and
Emotion Appraisal Theory, the research explores how
metaphors serve as powerful cognitive tools for
framing political ideas, shaping public perception, and
influencing socio-political attitudes. The analysis
reveals that metaphorical expressions are not merely
stylistic devices but act as conceptual structures that
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Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Fundamentals
enable the audience to understand complex political
issues in more accessible and emotionally resonant
ways. Furthermore, the study identifies emotional
appeals
—
such as hope, pride, concern, and solidarity
—
that are strategically embedded in presidential
discourse to strengthen persuasive impact and national
unity. The findings demonstrate that the integration of
metaphor and emotion plays a crucial role in
constructing political realities, mobilizing public
sentiment, and reinforcing the ideological framework
of governance. Political communication serves not only
to transmit information but also to emotionally
influence audiences, inspire them, and shape public
consciousness. In this regard, the use of metaphors and
the expression of emotions in political speeches are of
great significance. Cognitive linguistic theories make it
possible to analyze the mechanisms through which
metaphors and emotions are formed and function in
political texts and speeches. This article focuses on the
role of metaphors and emotions in political discourse,
using the speeches of the President of Uzbekistan,
Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as a case study.
Main Part
A metaphor functions not only as an ornamental
stylistic device but also as a conceptual model. It makes
complex social phenomena more comprehensible and
relatable to the audience. As a conceptual tool in
human cognition, metaphor conveys abstract concepts
in vivid and accessible forms, creating emotionally
resonant contexts in political discourse.
Common metaphor models in Shavkat Mirziy
oyev’s
speeches include:
• Journey metaphor
: “We have a long road ahead,”
“We have stepped onto a new path of development.”
This metaphor conceptualizes the development
process as a journey, emphasizing the pursuit of a goal.
• House metaphor
: “Our homelan
d is our common
home,” “We are building a new Uzbekistan.” This
model strengthens the idea of unity and solidarity.
• Struggle metaphor
: “We will persist in our struggle
against challenges.” This frames social problems as
adversaries that must be overcome.
• Nature/renewal metaphor
: “We have planted the
seeds of hope for the future,” “The spring of renewal
has come to our land.” This presents social change as a
natural, life-giving process, enhancing optimism.
In addition, emotional elements such as hope, pride,
responsibility, and motivation are actively employed.
For example, the phrase “Let us work together for the
future of our children” not only conveys information
but also evokes feelings of responsibility and unity.
The analysis of the President of Uz
bekistan’s speeches
reveals a systematic use of conceptual metaphors and
emotional appeals, which jointly function to frame
political messages and influence public perception. The
data were collected from several official addresses,
including annual messages to the Oliy Majlis, speeches
on Independence Day, and public policy statements.
Applying the framework of Conceptual Metaphor
Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), three dominant
metaphorical domains were identified:
1. Nation as a Family
o
Example: "Our great Motherland is our shared
home, and each of us is a member of this big family."
▪
Analysis
: This metaphor fosters unity and solidarity
by evoking a sense of belonging and collective
responsibility. By framing the nation as a family, the
President implicitly positions himself as a guardian
or elder figure, thus legitimizing leadership
authority.
2. Development as a Journey
o
Example: "We have entered a new stage of our
great path towards renewal and prosperity."
▪
Analysis
: This metaphor frames socio-economic
reforms as a collective voyage, where challenges
are seen as temporary obstacles, and progress is
envisioned as reaching a common destination. It
motivates perseverance and optimism among
citizens.
3. Challenges as Battles
o
Example: "We will resolutely fight against
corruption and injustice, without compromise."
▪
Analysis
: The battle metaphor intensifies the
seriousness of the problem and portrays the
government as an active defender of national
interests. It evokes courage, determination, and a
call to action.
2. Emotional Appeals in Political Rhetoric
Emotions are deliberately embedded in the discourse
to strengthen persuasive impact. The analysis identifies
four recurrent emotional appeals:
• Hope and Optimism
–
Reinforced by metaphors of
light, dawn, and future growth.
o
Example: "A bright tomorrow awaits our
hardworking and united people."
• Pride and National Identity
–
Triggered through
historical references and cultural heritage.
o
Example: "Our ancestors’
courage and wisdom
will forever be a guiding light for our independent
Uzbekistan."
• Concern and Responsibility
–
Emphasized when
addressing social issues.
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Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Fundamentals
o
Example: "We cannot remain indifferent when
even one child is left without education or care."
•
Solidarity and Unity
–
Highlighted through inclusive
pronouns (“we,” “our”) and collective goals.
o
Example: "Together we will build a strong and
prosperous Uzbekistan."
3. Interaction of Metaphor and Emotion
The President’s speeches demonstrate that meta
phors
and emotions do not function in isolation. For instance,
the “Nation as a Family” metaphor inherently carries
emotional weight
—
evoking affection, loyalty, and
mutual care
—while the “Development as a Journey”
metaphor
generates
anticipation
and
shared
commitment. This strategic blending increases the
motivational and mobilizing potential of political
communication.
Through metaphor, complex socio-economic and
political processes are transformed into images that are
not only easier to understand but also emotionally
engaging. In political discourse, metaphors serve to:
•
Represent complex processes through relatable
imagery;
•
Foster a sense of collective action among listeners;
•
Strengthen the spirit of overcoming challenges.
These metaphors are not mere figures of speech; they
bring political concepts closer to the audience and
amplify their emotional impact.
Scientific Context
. There are numerous significant
academic works on the study of metaphor and
emotions in political discourse. One of the most
influential is Lakoff and Johnson’s Metaphors We Live
By (1980), which laid the foundation for conceptual
metaphor theory and interpreted metaphor as an
integral part of human thought. Charteris-
Black’s
Politicians and Rhetoric: The Persuasive Power of
Metaphor (2005) provides a scholarly basis for
understanding how political leaders deliberately
employ metaphors to influence, inspire, and shape
public consciousness. Musolff (2016) offers an in-depth
analysis of the interrelation between metaphor and
political discourse.
Among Uzbek scholars, X. Abdullayeva (2020) has
explored the linguo-cultural characteristics of
metaphors in political speech, while M. O‘rinboyeva
(2019) has studied the linguistic manifestations of
emotionality. These studies confirm that metaphor in
political speech is not merely decorative but serves as a
potent cognitive instrument that inspires audiences
and conveys societal meanings.
METHODOLOGY
This study adopts the method of cognitive discourse
analysis. The dataset consists of Shav
kat Mirziyoyev’s
campaign speeches, addresses to the Oliy Majlis, and
public meetings from 2016 to 2024. First, metaphorical
expressions in the speeches were identified and
grouped according to conceptual models. Next,
emotional lexicon was analyzed for its communicative
function and its contextual impact on the audience.
Hundreds of examples were collected and examined
from both semantic and functional perspectives.
Emotions and Their Communicative Function
. In
political speeches, emotions function to inspire
listeners, unite them, and persuade them to accept
certain ideas. In Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s speeches, the
following emotional tones are frequently observed:
• Hope and confidence
: fostering trust in the future
(“Everyone is working together for the prosp
erity of our
country”).
•
Pride
: expressing national achievements (“We are
worthily continuing the legacy of our ancestors”).
•
Sense of responsibility
: encouraging every citizen to
recognize their duties toward the state (“Let us work
together for the fut
ure of our children”).
These emotions are typically intensified through tone,
strong phrasing, and emotionally rich metaphors.
Cognitive Approach to Analysis
. Cognitive linguistics
links metaphors and emotions in political discourse to
conceptual systems in the human mind. For instance,
the “journey” metaphor is directly tied to the cognitive
concept of moving toward a goal: “we” implies
collective action, while “road” symbolizes the process
of achieving it. Similarly, the “struggle” model turns the
listener from a passive observer into an active
participant.
CONCLUSION
In the speeches of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat
Mirziyoyev, metaphors and emotions are actively used
as powerful tools of political discourse. They serve to
convey complex political and economic processes in
simple, understandable, and emotionally compelling
ways. Cognitive linguistics provides an effective
framework for analyzing these processes, identifying
the conceptual models underlying metaphors, and
studying the communicative functions of emotions. In
this sense, metaphors and emotions in political
communication are not merely stylistic embellishments
but essential instruments in shaping public
consciousness.
REFERENCES
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Live
By. University of Chicago Press.
Charteris-Black, J. (2005). Politicians and Rhetoric: The
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Fundamentals
19
https://eipublication.com/index.php/jsshrf
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Fundamentals
Persuasive Power of Metaphor. Palgrave Macmillan.
Musolff, A. (2016). Metaphor and Political Discourse.
Cambridge University Press.
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Абдуллаева
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