earticle

영어

The purpose of this study is to examine the patterns of war metaphors in Chinese media coverage of COVID-19. To this end, articles with war metaphors were collected, the metaphoric patterns were categorized, and cognitive interpretation was added based on the conceptual metaphor theory of cognitive linguistics. In addition, the characteristics and communication effect of war metaphors in Chinese news media were investigated. The results are summarized as follows: First, many of the articles described COVID-19 situations in structural metaphors such as [treatment and quarantine is the process of war], [coronavirus is an enemy], [healthcare workers are warriors], [the hospital is a battlefield], [working in the medical field is like going to war], [coronavirus infection is like the invasion of an enemy], [the viral attack is an enemy's attack], [cure is a weapon], and [conquest of coronavirus is victory in war]. Second, the war metaphor of COVID-19 reflects the unique Chinese psychological culture of resistance. In particular, the use of war metaphors in media coverage shows the effective way of leading public opinion during the crisis and the positive perception that the disease can be defeated. Third, information on COVID-19 can be effectively and clearly delivered by using war metaphors for the unprecedented concept of “coronavirus.” This study explored the perceptions and values of COVID-19 among Chinese people and revealed that metaphors can be an effective communication method.