Conceptual metaphor in Joe Biden's presidential nomination acceptance speech

Abstract

This study examines the conceptual metaphors used in Joe Biden's first speech in the race to become the 46th President of the United States. The research is based on the ground of conceptual metaphor theory introduced and developed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980). Accordingly, the most frequently used source domains and target domains along with common metaphorical expressions in the selected discourse were identified. The judgment and explanations related to these conceptual metaphors are discussed to explain the success of Joe Biden, the incumbent president of the United States, in using language and achieving voters’ support.