Metafore per ferire. La rappresentazione dei migranti come flussi d'acqua nel discorso pubblico italiano.
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Type
article
Volume
9
Issue
1
Start Page
51
End Page
76
Journal
Abstract
The aim of this work is a in-depth analysis of the use, in the Italian public discourse, of one of the most widespread conceptual metaphors in the representation of migrants, i.e. migrant’s are waterflows. The analysis is based on an examination of the collocations of lexemes denoting migrants (migranti, immigrati, clandestini, profughi, rifugiati), carried out on the texts that have been published on the Italian web since 2000. The survey shows how, unlike other clearly offensive metaphors, the flow metaphor is realised through an apparently neutral lexicon that is not perceived as derogatory, and is therefore also used in institutional communication and in non-xenophobic discourses. However, it gives rise to a strongly denigrating representation, which projects onto migrants the three conceptual traits of dehumanisation, depersonalisation and dangerousness.
Subjects