Framing menopause from negative emotional language: A study of metaphors in medical discourse

  1. Chelo Vargas Sierra 1
  1. 1 Universitat d'Alacant
    info

    Universitat d'Alacant

    Alicante, España

    ROR https://ror.org/05t8bcz72

Journal:
Cultura, lenguaje y representación = Culture, language and representation: revista de estudios culturales de la Universitat Jaume I = cultural studies journal of Universitat Jaume I

ISSN: 1697-7750

Year of publication: 2024

Issue Title: Mujeres y metáforas. Terminología, léxico y representaciones sobre la salud de las mujeres en el discurso biomédico

Issue: 34

Pages: 15-36

Type: Article

DOI: 10.6035/CLR.7890 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Cultura, lenguaje y representación = Culture, language and representation: revista de estudios culturales de la Universitat Jaume I = cultural studies journal of Universitat Jaume I

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Abstract

This study adopts a corpus-based approach to the analysis of how the discourse of menopause is framed metaphorically, with a specific focus on negative emotional language. Using Wmatrix for the corpus analysis, the study takes as astarting point semantic tags for the most frequent emotions. Metaphorical expressions related to different aspects of menopause are extracted from the corpus and analyzed, in terms of biological processes and associated emotional and mental states. The aim is to reveal the most prominent metaphorical frames that emerge in such discourse, assessing their influence in shaping the conceptualization of menopause and underscoring their effect on societal perceptions of this stage in women’s life. Key findings highlight four dominant framings: menopause as EMOTIONAL TURBULENCE, asDISRUPTIVE CHANGE, asHORMONAL CONFLICT, and as a CHALLENGE TO SOCIETAL AND PERSONAL IDENTITY. The study concludes that dominant metaphorical framings of menopause reinforce stereotypes about women by presenting this stage of life as marked by emotional turmoil, loss of identity and symptoms of various kinds, thus shaping social perceptions that oversimplify and negatively color this important life transition.

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