Article published In: Metaphor and the Social World
Vol. 16:1 (2026) ► pp.150–171

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Economy is living organism

Deliberate metaphors in Chinese economic editorials in the context of COVID-19

ORCiD logo with link | Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
 | Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
Published online: 19 September 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/msw.25007.xu
Abstract
Deliberate metaphors have been studied across various types of discourse, yet editorials have received relatively little attention. Drawing on the 4D model of Deliberate Metaphor Theory, this paper investigates deliberate metaphors that instantiate the conceptual metaphor economy is living organism in economic editorials released by Chinese government-sponsored media institution during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that journalists primarily draw from the human and plant domains to make inferences about the economy. Eight predominant frame-level conceptual metaphors are identified, and the semantically linked frames evoke scenario of “health care & treatment” and “plant protection.” These deliberate metaphors function to clarify complex economic measures and policies, provide a framework for suggesting economic actions and forming coherent arguments, assess the state of the economy, and foster optimism and resilience among the public. The rhetorical analysis reveals that deliberate metaphors enhance the communication of logos and heighten pathos, collectively aimed at persuasion. These metaphorical usages are significantly influenced by the contextual elements of the discourse event, reflecting how metaphors are employed as strategic tools in economic communication during crises.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Theoretical foundation
  • 3.Research design
    • 3.1Research questions
    • 3.2Data
    • 3.3Research procedures
      • 3.3.1Deliberate metaphor identification
      • 3.3.2Deliberate metaphor categorization
      • 3.3.3Deliberate metaphor calculation
    • 3.4Reliability
  • 4.Result and analysis
    • 4.1Frame-level conceptual metaphors
    • 4.2Communicative functions of deliberate metaphor
      • 4.2.1economy is human
        • Economic body is human body
        • Economic situation is health condition
        • Economic remedy is medical treatment
        • Economic quality is personality
        • Economic development is growth
      • 4.2.2economy is plant
        • Economic boy is plant body
        • Economic situation is weather
        • Economic remedy is irrigation
  • 5.Discussion
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Note
  • References
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