Abstract

The present study is an analysis of the representation of the crises brought about by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at the socio-economic front in Saudi Arabia and the world over, in two Saudi English dailies, Saudi Gazette and Arab News. The study analyses the use of metaphors in the language employed in reporting the news items or presentation of expert opinions on the virus and the disease, and the deeper significance of the use of such metaphors in writing on the pandemic and its causes. Cognitive Metaphor Theory (CMT) has been employed as framework of analysis and the data have been analysed using Pragglejaz Group’s MIP. Six news and opinionated items (two from Saudi Gazette and four from Arab News) have been analysed. The analysis shows that the crisis writing relies heavily on war metaphors, Sinophobia metaphors, and metaphors allaying fears. The metaphorical language used in the selected English dailies plays a big role in allaying the public fears on the spread of the disease and putting the government programs in the right perspective. The use of metaphorical language to talk about the pandemic and its potent causes has been quite effective in addressing the sensitive issues since human psyche displays deep-set prejudices against certain panic conditions and social formations.

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