Cognitive Analysis of Metaphor and Emotions in Political Discourse: The Case of The President of Uzbekistan’s Speeches

This article analyzes the role of metaphor and emotions in political discourse from the perspective of cognitive linguistics. The research object consists of official speeches delivered by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, between 2016 and 2024. The study identifies the main conceptual metaphor models – “journey”, “house/building”, “struggle/battle”, and “nature/renewal” – and examines their communicative functions. Emotional elements such as hope, pride, responsibility, and motivation, used in the speeches, are also analyzed to reveal their role in inspiring, uniting, and shaping public consciousness. The results demonstrate that metaphors and emotions in presidential speeches serve not merely as stylistic ornamentation but as powerful cognitive tools for conceptualizing and conveying political ideas.