Metaphor in the Declaration of Independence of the United States Nguyễn Thị Thanh Bình Trường Đại học Ngoại ngữ Luận văn Thạc sĩ ngành: English Linguistics; Mã số: 60 22 15 Người hướng dẫn: M.A. Nguyễn Hương Giang Năm bảo vệ: 2012 Abstract. This paper investigates typical conceptual metaphors used in the Declaration of Independence of USA by Thomas Jefferson, the USA president. Metaphor is traditionally treated as rhetoric device in poetics. However, according to cognitivists, metaphor is not merely a matter of language but a matter of thought. Metaphor plays a very important role in expressing emotion and influencing to audiences effectively. The author tries to present classical cognitive theory of metaphor proposed by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson. This study consists of three main parts. The first part, INTRODUCTION, gives general information about the rationale, the aim, the scope, the methods and the design of the study. The second part, DEVELOPMENT, involves two chapters. Chapter 1, AN OVERVIEW OF METAPHOR, provides the theoretical background on conceptual metaphor, the classification and functions of conceptual metaphor. Chapter 2, THE STUDY, figure out the conceptual metaphor in the Declaration and how they affect the audience. The last part, CONCLUSION, reveals all types of conceptual metaphor including ontological metaphor, structural metaphor and orientational metaphor used in the Declaration. These conceptual metaphors have definite emotional effect on the audience to fulfill the purpose of delivering this Declaration. Also, some suggestions for further study are presented in this part. Keywords. Ngôn ngữ; Tiếng Anh; Ngữ pháp; Phương pháp ẩn dụ Content 1. Rationale Metaphor is one of the most complex and powerful tools of language and hence gets a section all to itself. It is widely used in different types of text like literature, science, journals, advertisement, religion, politics or everyday language. The use of metaphor as a part of figurative language aims to help the listeners to visualize what is meant by a phrase or expression. It is seen everyday and every time by almost everybody. In fact, politicians use language to persuade people that their thoughts, aims and ideas are equitable and to make their point clear and vivid to the people. It is proved that the use of metaphor is one of the most prominent tools for persuasion and an effective instrument for propaganda in political language. Commenting on the important role of metaphor, George Lakoff and Mark Johnson (1980:3) state that “metaphor is pervasive in everyday life, not just in language but in thought and action” The Declaration of Independence is delivered to announce independence and sovereignty of any countries to not only their citizens but also other countries in all over the world. Therefore, its author has to use rhetorical strategies to convince people and metaphor is one of the rhetorical strategies which are found to be commonly used. Thus, I would like to conduct a study on the use of metaphor in the Declaration of Independence of the United States to find out what types of metaphor are commonly used and how effective they are. 2. Aims of the study This study was conducted to fulfil the following aims:  To provide knowledge about conceptual metaphor from Lakoff and Johnson’s perspective  To investigate the use of conceptual metaphor in the Declaration of Independence of the United States  To give suggestion on some teaching and learning activities to gain more understanding about metaphor. These aims of the study were achieved via the following research questions:  What is conceptual metaphor?  How many types of conceptual metaphor are there?  What types of conceptual metaphor are used in The Declaration of Independence of the United States? 3. Scope of the study This study attempts to look at theories of metaphor. Cognitive theory about metaphor developed by Lakoff and Johnson will be presented in details in terms of definition, components, classification and functions. Then, the Declaration of Independence of the USA is analysed using Lakoff and Johnson’s theory to figure out typical conceptual metaphors in this writing. 4. Methods of the study The study is carried out mainly based on the combination of both descriptive and explanatory methods. These two methods were used to collect data different books and other sources available, describe the collected information and analyze the Declaration of Independence of the USA. The study was conducted as follows: Firstly, data was collected from different books, websites about metaphor in English. Secondly, the collected information was synthesized and categorized Finally, the Declaration of Independence was analyzed in terms of metaphor. 5. Design of the study The study consists of 3 main parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion. The Introduction presents the rationale, aims, scope, methods and design of the study. The Development is divided into 2 chapters. Chapter 1 deals with theoretical background of the study including different theories of metaphor. Chapter 2 accounts for the study of conceptual metaphors used in Declaration of Independence of America. The Conclusion focuses on major findings, implications and suggestions for further studies. References 1. Dirver R. & Roings R. (2003), Metaphore and Metonymy in Comparison and Contrast, Mouton de Gruyter. Berlin, New York. 2. Pound, Ezra. (1913), "A Retrospect" Literary Essays of Ezra Pound. Ed. T. S. Eliot. New York. 3. Higara M.K. (2005), Metaphor and Iconicity. A cognitive approach to Analyzing texts, Printed and bound in Great Britain by Antony Rowe Ltd, Chppenham & Eastbourne. 4. Lakoff G. & Johnson M. (1980), Metaphors We live by, Chicago University Press, Chicago and London. 5. Lakoff G. & Turner M. (1989) More than cool Reason, Chicago University Press. 6. Lakoff G. (1993), The Comterporary theory of Metaphor, Cambridge Universit Press, Cambridge. 7. Leezengberh M. (2001), Contexts of Metaphor, Univeristy Of Amsterdam, Elsevier Science Ltd, the Netherlands. 8. Richards I.A (1936) The philosophy of rhetoric, Oxford Univeristy Press, London. 9. William Harmon .& C.Hugh Homan (1999), A handbook to Literature, The Odyssey Press, New York 10. Zoltan Koveceses. (2010), Metaphor: A pratical introduction, Oxford University Press, London. 11. The Oxford Advanced Leaner’s 7 th Edition, 2007. Oxford University Press, London 12. The Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 3 rd Edition, 2008. Cambridge University Press, Cambride. WEBS http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/617/01/, retrieved 15/9/2012 http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_style.html, retrieved 15/9/2012 http://www.wikipedia, retrieved 20/08/2012 http://www.bartleby.com/113/emily dickinson/ the complete poems 1924, retrieved 15/9/2012 John Ciardi, World Book Dictionary http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/617/01/, retrieved 20/8/2012 . study on the use of metaphor in the Declaration of Independence of the United States to find out what types of metaphor are commonly used and how effective they are. 2. Aims of the study This. conceptual metaphor?  How many types of conceptual metaphor are there?  What types of conceptual metaphor are used in The Declaration of Independence of the United States? 3. Scope of the study. collected information was synthesized and categorized Finally, the Declaration of Independence was analyzed in terms of metaphor. 5. Design of the study The study consists of 3 main parts: Introduction,