Pandemic pragmatics: War metaphors, social cohesion, and the need for a new “menu”

Authors

  • Daniel Kim McMaster University

Abstract

From a pragmatic perspective, metaphors are an integral device in the shaping of perceived reality and moral understanding. When combined with how language trends in public communication streams play a central role in the framing of pandemics, a clear need for deeper pragmatic analyses of pandemic language hegemonies can be identified. Hence the point of this paper: to wake up the dead metaphors of war used in pandemic discourse. Social studies of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate that significant potential exists for the conventionalization of war metaphors to instigate a "blame game" that degrades local and global social cohesion. Thus, the need for an alternative hegemonic mode of expression to communicate pandemics is emphasized, so to create a narrative that better supports the strengthening of social cohesion on all levels.

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Published

2023-11-09

How to Cite

Kim, D. (2023). Pandemic pragmatics: War metaphors, social cohesion, and the need for a new “menu”. Global Health: Annual Review, 1(8), 43–46. Retrieved from https://journals.mcmaster.ca/ghar/article/view/3431

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 8 (2023): Global Health: Annual Review Issue 8

Section

Opinion Editorial

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