36.242, Reviews: Static and dynamic metaphoricity in U.S.-China trade discourse: Xiaojuan Tan (2023)

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Subject: 36.242, Reviews: Static and dynamic metaphoricity in U.S.-China trade discourse: Xiaojuan Tan (2023)

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Date: 17-Jan-2025
From: Yat Ho Wong [yannisyhwong at gmail.com]
Subject: Discourse Analysis: Xiaojuan Tan (2023)


Book announced at https://linguistlist.org/issues/34-3185

Title: Static and dynamic metaphoricity in U.S.-China trade discourse
Subtitle: A transdisciplinary perspective
Series Title: LOT Dissertation Series
Publication Year: 2023

Publisher: Netherlands Graduate School of Linguistics / Landelijke
(LOT)
           http://www.lotpublications.nl/
Book URL:
https://www.lotpublications.nl/static-and-dynamic-metaphoricity-in-us-china-trade-discourse

Author(s): Xiaojuan Tan

Reviewer: Yat Ho Wong

SUMMARY
Chapters 1 to 3 establish the book’s theoretical foundation, with the
author meticulously reviewing key scholars, such as Lakoff and Johnson
(1980) on conceptual metaphors, Steen et al. (2010) on metaphor
identification procedures, as well as Cameron (2010) on the Discourse
Dynamics Approach. By constructing a genealogy of the field, she
organises scholars’ work into three branches, highlighting distinct
understandings of metaphoricity. Through analysis of 99 works, she
foregrounds major theoretical trends and identifies critical gaps: the
vague definition of metaphoricity, the separation of 'gradable' views,
an unclear relationship between gradability and dynamicity, and
limited theoretical development. This groundwork prepares the reader
for her own model, which aims to bridge these gaps. The author
introduces an innovative approach by incorporating the Chinese
philosophy of YinYang dialectics, emphasising coexistence and balance,
contrasting with the Western tradition of dialectics, which often
centres on binary oppositions and conflict. For instance, she
integrates the concept of dynamic maintenance into metaphoricity,
arguing how Yang active metaphors can transform into Yin inactive
ones, creating dynamic stability within the system.
The author sets out to address theoretical and empirical gaps in the
study of metaphor use in political-economic discourse, including the
lack of CDA (Critical Discourse Analysis) and political perspectives,
insufficient application of pragmatic or semantic theories, limited
empirical studies across trade genres and topics, a lack of focus on
Chinese language studies, unclear cross-linguistic trade metaphor
comparisons, and uncertainty around metaphor stability versus
variation over time. In Chapter 4, the author provides the historical
and political context for trade discussions during the Clinton-Jiang
period (1993–1997) and the Trump-Xi era (2017–2021), introducing the
book's empirical case study on U.S.-China trade discourse.
Chapter 5 advances cross-linguistic metaphor research through the
author’s robust Cross-linguistic Metaphor Identification Process
(CLMIP), which navigates linguistic equivalences and distinctions
using corpus methods to reveal parallel and divergent expressions. By
focusing on consistent metaphor mappings between Chinese and English,
the author provides illustrative examples of dead, novel, and
conventional metaphors, underscoring their interpretative
complexities. Notably, due to differences between English and Chinese
multi-word expressions, she diverges from Lu and Wang’s (2017) and
Wang et al.’s (2019) application of the method of Steen et al. (2010),
instead adopting Cameron and Maslen’s (2010) approach. This method
identifies metaphorical components within Chinese multi-word
expressions when vivid physical imagery and concrete senses are
evident, even when dictionaries list abstract meanings. The chapter
sets a culturally sensitive benchmark for future research, offering
practical guidance for nuanced cross-linguistic metaphor analysis.
Chapter 6 effectively combines Conceptual Metaphor Theory with
Critical Discourse Analysis to explore how political agendas and
hegemonic power dynamics shape trade discourse. Addressing a key
research gap, the author examines the evolving universality of
metaphor Sources (as in Vehicles, Sources, and Targets), in response
to the limited focus on Chinese language studies in existing research.
This chapter emphasises the importance of qualitative metaphor
analysis within trade discourse, illustrating how Trump’s
protectionist rhetoric redefined Clinton’s free trade narrative.
Additionally, the author examines culturally specific metaphors—such
as "EAST WIND" and "MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTING IN OPERA"—crafted in
response to nationalist discourse in Xi’s government. By linking the
diachronic and cross-linguistic use of metaphor Sources to shifting
political structures, Chapter 6 reveals how diverse trade ideologies
embody complex interactions between interests and power across
different administrations and discourse contexts.
The next three chapters delve into the nuanced roles of metaphors in
political discourse, analysing their genre-specific functions (Chapter
7), their fluid and context-sensitive nature (Chapter 8), and their
dynamic cognitive and affective shifts over time (Chapter 9).
In Chapter 7, the author’s analysis of genre-specific metaphor
functions offers a compelling and innovative approach to political
discourse. By examining the distinct pragmatic functions of metaphors
across genres—from attention-grabbing in news to the legitimising
power in official policies—she effectively highlights how these
linguistic tools reinforce dominant ideologies in context-sensitive
ways. Her detailed categorisation of conventional and novel metaphors
demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of metaphor's rhetorical
impact, on political discourse analysis. This contribution not only
clarifies how trade metaphors serve varied communicative aims but also
encourages future research on metaphor's ideological influence across
genres.
In Chapter 8, the author advances the dynamic nature of political
metaphors, challenging traditional static views by positioning
metaphoricity as a fluid, context-sensitive process. It emphasises how
metaphors evolve along a continuum, transforming from one state (e.g.,
Yin-inactive to Yang-active) to another, thus shaping socio-political
realities and potentially inciting political change. By examining
metaphors not just in isolated forms but as patterns involving
Vehicles, Sources, and Targets that can shift, redeploy, or
relexicalise, the study introduces a nuanced, gradable model of
metaphoricity.
Through the lens of YYDM, metaphoricity emerges as a variable concept
that adjusts in strength based on context and rhetorical function. The
dynamic framework finds support in the Clinton-Jiang trade discourse,
where metaphor functions as a multifaceted tool, intricately linked to
political shifts, rhetorical objectives, and changing situational
contexts. The analysis offers a robust framework for understanding
political discourse as an interconnected, adaptive system shaped by
temporal and contextual influences.
Chapter 9 details how metaphoricity in political discourse shifts
dynamically, both cognitively and affectively, across various time
scales. By focusing on transformations in metaphoricity and affect,
the author sheds light on the evolving interplay of metaphors and
political ideology. The analysis of metaphors in the Trump-Xi and
Clinton-Jiang trade discourses, particularly the progressive
transformation of nationalist rhetoric, highlights how metaphors like
"winning" foreground shifting socio-political stances. This chapter
exemplifies how metaphoricity can align with—and reinforce—nationalist
sentiments, as evidenced in Trump's framing of trade tensions. The
author successfully integrates the YYDM to support the interdependency
between linguistic forms and cognitive, affective, and political
processes. The findings affirm that metaphoricity’s linear and
non-linear patterns contribute to an evolving political discourse,
challenging static metaphor models. Through the chapter’s nuanced
analysis of language and socio-political dynamics, the author
reinforces the view of political discourse as a complex,
interconnected system, thereby offering a compelling framework for
analysing the stability and variability of metaphoricity over time.
In Chapter 10, the author explored metaphoricity transformations
across YinYang polarities, effectively demonstrating different
configurations on the metaphoricity spectrum. The detailed examples,
particularly with WAR metaphors in China Daily, vividly illustrate how
metaphors can shift from inactive (Yin) to active (Yang) states,
fulfilling her objective to show metaphoricity's incremental changes.
Her visual representation of these movements, notably from core to
periphery in various stages, reinforces her dynamic view, adding
valuable empirical detail that complements existing metaphor theory.
The chapter reveals a dynamic, interconnected relationship between
micro and macro discourse systems, where individual metaphorisations
shape collective socio-political forms, exemplified through a fluid,
boundary-less metaphoricity spectrum surpassing static discourse
models.
EVALUATION
This book examines the complexities of metaphoricity in international
political discourse through a transdisciplinary lens, with a focus on
dynamic metaphoricity. The author first introduces two theoretical
perspectives—gradable and dynamic metaphoricity, and static and
gradient metaphoricity—establishing a solid foundation for the study.
The clarity and precision with which the author sets the scene reflect
a deep understanding of the field. By distinguishing these viewpoints
within the broader metaphor studies framework, the author not only
clarifies foundational assumptions but also effectively demonstrates
the unique contributions of each approach. The dissertation's
objective is clearly defined and compelling, culminating in the
proposal of the innovative, usage-based model, YinYang Dynamics of
Metaphoricity.
In the empirical section, the dissertation presents a detailed case
study of U.S.-China trade discourse, focusing on two historical
periods: the Clinton-Jiang and Trump-Xi eras. This analysis uses a
transdisciplinary approach that integrates Conceptual Metaphor Theory,
Critical Metaphor Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), and
International Relations (IR). Specific coding procedures are applied
to analyse static and gradient metaphoricity in political discourse.
The data collected reveal not only synchronic observations but also
diachronic shifts, showing how metaphorical Sources and Targets evolve
across different political administrations. This shift reflects
changes in trade discourse contexts and aligns with broader political
dynamics, shedding light on how metaphors adapt to evolving political
landscapes.
The dissertation also explores genre-specific differences in metaphor
use, demonstrating how metaphors function across political genres such
as news, remarks, and policy documents. These findings highlight that
metaphors are strategically employed to construct and legitimise
political ideologies. Moreover, the communicative-pragmatic and
cognitive functions of metaphors vary across genres, revealing the
extent to which rhetorical tools are shaped by the specific needs of
each context.
In its final section, the dissertation synthesises both theoretical
and empirical insights to offer a comprehensive view of gradable
metaphoricity in political discourse. By contrasting static and
gradient perspectives with gradable and dynamic ones, the author
proposes the "thick dynamic metaphor approach" to political discourse
analysis, offering a more nuanced framework for understanding metaphor
in political contexts.
While the author’s approach provides valuable insights into the
ideological dimensions of U.S. and Chinese political discourses,
expanding its application across a broader range of cultural and
linguistic contexts would enhance its universality. Such an expansion
could offer a richer, more comprehensive understanding of
metaphoricity in political discourse, strengthening the study’s
contributions. On the other hand, the trade corpus in this study
serves as a robust foundation for exploring variations in verbal
metaphors across word classes, languages, time periods, and political
genres. Extending this research to multimodal verbo-gestural metaphors
could further enrich Political Discourse Analysis, as co-articulated
gestures would reveal new cognitive dimensions and deepen our
understanding of metaphoricity in political communication.
In summary, this book offers a sophisticated transdisciplinary
analysis, advancing our understanding of metaphor use in
political-economic contexts. By integrating theories such as
Conceptual Metaphor Theory, Critical Metaphor Analysis, and CDA,
alongside innovative frameworks like the YinYang Dynamics of
Metaphoricity, it highlights the gradable and dynamic nature of
metaphoricity. The author's meticulous methodology, grounded in
cross-linguistic and diachronic analyses, uncovers how metaphors
evolve across political contexts and leadership styles, adapting to
shifting ideological and geopolitical landscapes. Through its rigorous
case study of U.S.-China trade discourse, the book not only fills
significant theoretical and empirical gaps but also offers a useful
foundation for future research on the interplay between metaphor,
politics, and power.
REFERENCES
Cameron, Lynne. 2010. "The Discourse Dynamics Framework for Metaphor."
In: Lynne
Cameron and Robert Maslen (eds.). Metaphor Analysis: Research Practice
in Applied Linguistics, Social Sciences and the Humanities. Sheffield:
Equinox Publishing Ltd, 77–96.
Cameron, Lynne, and Robert Maslen. 2010. "Identifying Metaphors in
Discourse Data." In:
Lynne Cameron and Robert Maslen (eds.). Metaphor Analysis: Research
Practice in Applied Linguistics, Social Sciences and the Humanities.
Sheffield: Equinox Publishing Ltd, 97–115.
Lakoff, George, and Mark Johnson. 1980. Metaphors We Live By. Chicago:
University of
Chicago Press.
Lu, Xiaofei, and Ben Pin-Yun Wang. 2017. "Towards a Metaphor-Annotated
Corpus of
Mandarin Chinese." Language Resources and Evaluation 51: 663–694.
Steen, Gerard J., Aletta G. Dorst, J. Berenike Herrmann, Anna A. Kaal,
Tina Krennmayr, and
Tryntje Pasma. 2010. A Method for Linguistic Metaphor Identification:
>From MIP to MIPVU. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Wang, Ben Pin-Yun, Xiaofei Lu, Chan-Chia Hsu, Eric Po-Chung Lin, and
Haiyang Ai. 2022.
"Linguistic Metaphor Identification in Chinese." In: Susan Nacey,
Aletta G. Dorst, Tina Krennmayr, and W. Gudrun Reijnierse (eds.).
Metaphor Identification in Multiple Languages: MIPVU Around the World.
Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 247–265.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Yat Ho Wong is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of
Duisburg-Essen, where he is conducting research on the self- and
other-constructions of Hong Kong migrants within British public
discourse. His study primarily examines the influence of elite
discourse on migrants through newspaper publications, aiming to
understand the extent to which their representation in public
discourse shapes their lived experiences in their new host country.



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