ẨN DỤ Ý NIỆM VỀ MÔI TRƯỜNG TỰ NHIÊN TRONG DIỄN NGÔN TRUYỀN THÔNG HÀN QUỐC VỀ ĐẠI DỊCH COVID-19

Abstract

This study examines the use of natural environment metaphors in South Korean media discourse about the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing 248 discourses from 59 newspapers between February 2020 and July 2022, the research explores how natural environment metaphors were employed to convey messages about the pandemic and response measures. Grounded in Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Framing Theory, the analysis reveals how these metaphors reflected South Korea's crisis management priorities and shaped public perceptions of COVID-19. The findings reveal that Korean media predominantly used four types of natural environment metaphors: brink (81%), mountain (13%), river (5%), and cave (1%). These metaphors served not only to describe the severity of the pandemic but also to mobilize public support and encourage collective action in addressing the health crisis. The study highlights the critical role of natural environment metaphors in shaping public understanding of the pandemic and influencing readers' behavioral responses. Furthermore, it underscores how these metaphors reflect policy priorities and South Korea's crisis management approach. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between metaphorical language, crisis communication, and public health management in the context of a global pandemic.