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Abstract

This paper examines metaphor in the American abortion debate. It takes a systematic and fine-grained approach to analysing war conceptualisations in abortion-related speeches and statements from the Republican and Democrat parties between 2009 and 2023. Analysis focuses on the conceptual framing , and how various linguistic features constitute this world. This approach demonstrates how conceptual metaphors can be used to shape social attitude and justify political action — in the case of abortion, demonstrating how war conceptualisation has enacted a culture conducive to polarisation and partisanship.

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/content/journals/10.1075/jlp.23189.fra
2025-09-05
2026-07-11
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keywords: abortion ; conceptual metaphor ; war metaphor ; polarisation ; political discourse
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