THE ROLE OF CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS AND SYMBOLS IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE

This article investigates the communicative and pragmatic functions of conceptual metaphors and symbols within political discourse through a linguocognitive approach. Contemporary political discourse is interpreted not merely as a mechanism of information transmission, but also as an influential instrument for shaping public consciousness, constructing ideological orientations, and regulating social perceptions. The study, grounded in the theory of conceptual metaphor, examines metaphorical models frequently employed in political rhetoric such as “the state as an organism,” “politics as struggle,” and “the people as power,” and analyzes their impact on the cognitive perception of audiences. Furthermore, the semantic and ideological functions of political symbols — including national flags, colors, historical images, and cultural emblems — are explored in detail. Particular attention is devoted to the manipulative nature of political communication and to the emotional-expressive potential of metaphors and symbols in influencing collective consciousness. The methodological framework of the study includes discourse analysis, semantic interpretation, and cognitive linguistic approaches. The findings reveal that conceptual metaphors simplify complex political realities and render them accessible to the general public, whereas symbols reinforce collective identity, ideological solidarity, and emotional unity among citizens. Moreover, the article demonstrates that political language functions not only as a communicative phenomenon but also as a strategic instrument for constructing social reality and legitimizing relations of power. The study contributes significantly to contemporary research in political linguistics, pragmatics, cognitive linguistics, and discourse analysis.