Metaphors of migration over time

This paper aims to cast light on contemporary migration rhetoric by integrating historical discourse analysis. I focus continuity and change in conventionalised metaphorical framings of emigration immigration the UK-based Times newspaper from 1800 2018. The findings show that some metaphors persist throughout 200-year time period (liquid, object), are more recent form (animals, invader, weight) while others dropped out use before returning (commodity, guest). Furthermore, we see spread metaphor goes beyond correlation with migrant naming choices both emigrants immigrants occupying similar frames historically. However, analysis also shows cannot be assumed correspond stasis framing evaluation as liquid is shown have been favourable past. A dominant frame migrants an economic resource determined speaker’s perception control this resource.