Comparative Analysis of Coronavirus Metaphoric Representation in Chinese and Russian Online Media

Abstract

This article aims at comparing the coronavirus metaphorical image in the online media of China and the Russia. Metaphor is viewed as a cognitive frame within the discourse. The study was conducted on 750 and 1000 headlines and leads of news reports about the coronavirus for the Chinese and Russian language. The results show that the virus image is based on similar metaphorical models, but the quantitative analysis of metaphors and metaphorical entailments indicate significant differences in the virus image that media creates. The coronavirus image in the PRC media mainly represents as an enemy which should be fought, and can be defeated, what helps to cool down public opinion. The Russian media discourse treats the coronavirus as a surprise enemy that is dangerous, and it is not clear “how it can be won”.