Les métaphores du virus COVID-19 dans les discours d’Emmanuel Macron et de Pedro Sánchez

In the last decades metaphor in specialized discourse has been vastly researched. Following a cognitive approach to metaphor, the present article seeks to analyze the conceptualization of COVID-19 disease in the speeches made by Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, between March and June 2020. The analysis reveals a network of conceptual metaphors which describe the virus as an animate being or a natural disaster, and action to stop its spread as a war. This metaphorical network has a threefold purpose : (1) to highlight the devastating effects of COVID-19 ; (2) to instil courage and hope ; and (3) to make appeals for union in order to contain the pandemic.