A COGNITIVE ANALYSIS ON CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR IN ENGLISH SOCIAL MEDIA DISCOURSE

Abstract

Conceptual metaphors play a crucial role in how individuals understand and communicate complex or abstract phenomena. Originating from the foundational work of Lakoff and Johnson (1980), conceptual metaphor theory (CMT) asserts that metaphors are not merely decorative elements of language but essential cognitive tools that shape human perception and reasoning. In contemporary discourse, especially in specialized domains such as financial communication and pandemic-related messaging, metaphors act as bridges between technical content and public understanding. This becomes especially relevant in environments shaped by mass communication and participatory platforms such as mainstream media and social media, where language shapes not only individual cognition but also collective behavior.