FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN POLITICAL SPEECHES: A COMPARATIVE LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS
Keywords:
figurative language, political discourse, metaphor, idiom, cross-cultural pragmatics, persuasionAbstract
Political leaders frequently employ figurative language—metaphors, idioms, irony, and other devices—to persuade and engage audiences. These rhetorical figures help make abstract policies concrete and tap into cultural meanings. This paper examines the use of figurative language in political speeches, comparing English and Uzbek contexts. Drawing on cognitive and discourse-analytic perspectives, it reviews how metaphors and other devices function as persuasive tools, and how cultural norms shape their usage. Key examples illustrate that, while both English and Uzbek speakers use irony to soften criticism (e.g. “Oh, great! Another meeting!” vs Uzbek “Yana bitta yig‘ilish! Shu kerak edi!”), English tends toward more direct, humorous tone and Uzbek toward indirect politeness. Likewise, common political metaphors (e.g. “politics is war”, “journey”) appear across languages but reflect distinct conceptual flavors in each culture. The analysis highlights that cultural context influences the interpretation and impact of figurative expressions. The paper concludes that understanding these cross-cultural nuances is vital for interpreting political rhetoric and improving intercultural communication.
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