Chapter 5. Greek metaphors in the fiscal straightjacket
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Anastasios Vogiatzis
Abstract
This paper examines the use of figurative language in the context of the Greek financial crisis during the period 2010–2011. In particular it examines the use of metaphor as a framing device (Camp 2015) in five speeches delivered by the Greek Prime Minister, George A. Papandreou. These speeches aimed to officially introduce to the public the collapse of the Greek economy, and most importantly, the change in the financial policies of the government which would be, or were, characterized by harsh economic measures such as job cuts, reduction of wages and pensions, as well as cuts on social spending. A close look at these speeches reveals extensive use of metaphoric language, with positively valenced metaphoric frames significantly outnumbering negative ones. The metaphoric language of the speeches appears in clusters and revolves mainly around three core themes: namely, the state of the economy, the process to improve it, and the role of the Greek people in this process. Variation in political metaphor is observed in these three themes and also in a case of a non-linguistic metaphor related to light. A fact that makes the use of metaphoric language of extreme interest in these speeches is that it is placed within a straightjacket, i.e. the fiscal straightjacket.
Abstract
This paper examines the use of figurative language in the context of the Greek financial crisis during the period 2010–2011. In particular it examines the use of metaphor as a framing device (Camp 2015) in five speeches delivered by the Greek Prime Minister, George A. Papandreou. These speeches aimed to officially introduce to the public the collapse of the Greek economy, and most importantly, the change in the financial policies of the government which would be, or were, characterized by harsh economic measures such as job cuts, reduction of wages and pensions, as well as cuts on social spending. A close look at these speeches reveals extensive use of metaphoric language, with positively valenced metaphoric frames significantly outnumbering negative ones. The metaphoric language of the speeches appears in clusters and revolves mainly around three core themes: namely, the state of the economy, the process to improve it, and the role of the Greek people in this process. Variation in political metaphor is observed in these three themes and also in a case of a non-linguistic metaphor related to light. A fact that makes the use of metaphoric language of extreme interest in these speeches is that it is placed within a straightjacket, i.e. the fiscal straightjacket.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction: Studying variation in political metaphor 1
- Chapter 1. First Lady, Secretary of State and Presidential Candidate 13
- Chapter 2. Fairies, Christmas miracles and sham marriages 35
- Chapter 3. The rhetorical use of political metaphor before, during and after the presidency 61
- Chapter 4. Knifed in the back 83
- Chapter 5. Greek metaphors in the fiscal straightjacket 107
- Chapter 6. The use of sensorimotor-based concepts during and after presidential campaigns 131
- Chapter 7. Variations of metaphors in party manifestos about EU finality 151
- Chapter 8. Variation in methods for studying political metaphor 177
- Conclusion 195
- Biographical notes 207
- Index 211
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction: Studying variation in political metaphor 1
- Chapter 1. First Lady, Secretary of State and Presidential Candidate 13
- Chapter 2. Fairies, Christmas miracles and sham marriages 35
- Chapter 3. The rhetorical use of political metaphor before, during and after the presidency 61
- Chapter 4. Knifed in the back 83
- Chapter 5. Greek metaphors in the fiscal straightjacket 107
- Chapter 6. The use of sensorimotor-based concepts during and after presidential campaigns 131
- Chapter 7. Variations of metaphors in party manifestos about EU finality 151
- Chapter 8. Variation in methods for studying political metaphor 177
- Conclusion 195
- Biographical notes 207
- Index 211
