Abstract:
This study investigates the frequency, types, and rhetorical functions of
metaphorical expressions utilized in Professor Stella Christie’s public lecture,
“Why We Explore.” Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research
combines quantitative corpus-based analysis using Sketch Engine (MIPVU) and
qualitative interpretive analysis on the lecture transcript to identify and categorize
metaphors. The analysis identified 31 distinct metaphorical expressions,
corresponding to a high normalized frequency of 31 metaphors per 1,000 words.
The dominant type was Orientational Metaphors (45.2%), followed by Structural
(25.8%), Ontological (16.1%), and Personification (12.9%) metaphors. These
metaphors were primarily found to serve the key rhetorical functions of
simplification (32.3%) and narrative construction (32.3%), alongside emotional
evocation (25.8%) and emphasis (9.7%). The findings demonstrate that
metaphorical language is strategically employed to enhance audience engagement,
particularly in framing abstract concepts like exploration, curiosity, and economic
growth in accessible imagery. The prevalence of Journey metaphors, such as
“making the journey all the way here,” highlights the speaker’s attempt to
connect with the audience's cultural understanding of progress. This research
contributes to cognitive linguistics and rhetorical studies by offering practical
insights into the effective use of figurative language in academic public discourse.
