Pictures of Language: Language Metaphors in a Recent Language Policy Framework

Abstract

Metaphors in policies can have a significant effect on how ideas are conceptualised and concepts are framed. By investigating the metaphors in a specific recent language policy framework, insights into the conceptualisation of language and related concepts can be provided. After identifying all the relevant metaphors, they were categorised into themes and the themes were described with some illustrative examples. The most prominent metaphor theme in the policy is HUMAN, where languages are portrayed as humans. Languages are also depicted as having bodies (EMBODIMENT), and as being physical entities (PHYSICAL) and plants (NATURE). Terminology as money (FINANCIAL) also features. The implications of these metaphors are discussed in the conclusion.

Keywords:

• language policy
• linguistic metaphors
• metaphors
• South Africa
• themes