Metaphors in politics: a study of the metaphorical
personification of America in political discourse

Abstract: The language of politics is a complex issue which includes many strategies
of language use to influence the receiver toward a desired attitude or
thought. Depending on the aim and conviction of the speaker, the use of
language strategies differs. The topic of this essay is metaphors in
politics and more specifically the personification of America in the first
inaugural addresses by Ronald Reagan, George H W Bush, Bill Clinton and
George W Bush. The focus is on how the metaphors are used, how they can be
interpreted and what message they send to the receiver. This essay will
argue that the conceptual metaphors used in political discourse in the
inaugurals are highly intentional, but not always as easy to detect. The
rhetorical strategy of conceptualizing America as human is analyzed and the
conceptual metaphors accounted for and analyzed are THE WORLD AS A
COMMUNITY, NATION AS A PERSON, NATION WITH HUMAN ATTRIBUTES and NATION
ACTING AS HUMAN. The conclusion drawn is that the four presidents included
all frequently use metaphors to personify the nation with the aim to make
the American people identify with and understand their beliefs and goals
for America.