Unmasking the Discourse
Literal and Figurative Meanings of the Mask in Croatian Media during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21763508 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ksenija Benčina (0000-0003-2705-0377), Lorna Dubac Nemet (0009-0001-9606-1224) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 24 |
| Pages | 33-46 |
| Publication date | 2024-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Białostockie Archiwum Językowe (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1641-6961 |
| Publisher | University of Bialystok (PUBLISHER • PL) |
| DOI | 10.15290/baj.2024.24.03 |
| OpenAlex | W7124468143 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 11 |
During the coronavirus pandemic, a medical mask became a prominent symbol of prevention, leading to the increased use of the literal and figurative language with mask‐related images. This paper aims to analyse expressions containing the word mask and their literal and figurative meanings in the Croatian media discourse during the COVID‐19 pandemic. It also examines how these expressions were used to convey different messages and attitudes towards wearing masks. The methodological approach involves analysing a corpus comprising articles from two major Croatian newspapers (Jutarnji list and Večernji list) published between March 2020 and March 2021. In order to determine the underlying conceptual mechanisms and ideological implications of mask‐related phrases, the research is based on the frameworks of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, the Conceptual Metonymy Theory and the Critical Discourse Analysis. The findings reveal that mask was primarily used literally as a protective measure, whereas figurative uses included idioms related to hiding the true character and metaphorical framing of masks as muzzles, implying control and oppression. These linguistic choices contributed to the polarisation of the discourse surrounding mask‐wearing and transformed a health measure into a symbol of ideological conflict. The paper aims to broaden the understanding of how language reflects and shapes social perceptions, attitudes and behaviors during a crisis and provides insight into the role of figurative language in crisis and public health communication
Conceptual metaphor · Ideology · Literal and figurative language · Metaphor · Metonymy · Newspaper · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Linguistic research and analysis · Semiotics and Representation Studies
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |