Abstract:

Metaphors are believed to make our speech and writing more colourful and expressive and are commonly associated with poetry and fiction. However, in everyday communication these tropes are used as well and have become its integral part. For instance, in a short mundane dialogue two speakers may use idioms to convey the ideas and notions more clearly. Thus, we can maintain that metaphors are not only the tools of poets, novelists, and writers, but a linguistic means which is common to all styles and genres.

Moreover, metaphors are considered to be the language elements which reflect the national identity and mentality and in a condensed way preserve the national values and beliefs. They form the system of notions which are unique and specific for each country. Metaphors may also be recognized as cultural heritage of the nation, the most vital part of national world-image.

It is known that teaching a foreign language besides pure linguistic aspects implies the transference of cultural peculiarities of the country or region where this language is spoken. The students who want to succeed in intercultural communication should acquire skills in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar and, in addition, study conceptual metaphors which may assist them in understanding the national character and mentality of the country which language they are studying. Such an approach will form the basis of students’ linguistic competence and make them qualified professionals.

The aim of this article is to share the research results which were obtained during the discourse analysis of courtroom communication in Canada and the USA. The analysis consists of quantitative examination, the purpose of which is to reveal the frequency of metaphors and idioms in judicial discourse, and qualitative examination, which implies the study of national concepts and values underlying metaphorical expressions. The article contains a table where the metaphors are categorized according to the main concepts which they convey as well as their literal meaning.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the research results are of high pedagogical importance as they may be included in teaching manuals and textbooks. For instance, this material may be used as reference by both students and professors, who teach legal English as a second language.

Keywords:

Conceptual metaphors, discourse analysis, judicial discourse, the USA, Canada.