CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS OF NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC RECESSION

Abstract

This study explores the use of conceptual metaphors in Nigerian
media to frame the 2016 economic recession; it focuses on
Vanguard, Daily Trust and Sahara Reporters. Grounded in Lakoff
and Johnson’s (1980) Conceptual Metaphor Theory, the research
employs qualitative content analysis; purposive sampling was used
to select news articles containing economy-related metaphors. Key
findings reveal six broad types of metaphors: disaster metaphors,
journey metaphors, human metaphors, container metaphors,
structural metaphors and shrinking metaphors; these metaphors
reflect Nigeria’s cultural, cognitive, and contextual realities. The
metaphors simplify complex economic phenomena; they shape
public understanding of the recession and highlight the interplay
between language, culture, and cognition. This research seeks to
contributes immensely to the discourse on metaphor universality
and specificity as it provides practical insights for scholars,
policymakers, and media practitioners. By unveiling how Nigerian
media linguistically captures economic realities, this study offers a
culturally relevant tool to enhance communication strategies and
foster public engagement during crises.