Title: A Conceptual Metaphor Study on the Naming of U.S. Military Operations：The Cases of Afghanistan War and Iraq War

Abstract: Conceptual metaphors play an important role in naming military operations. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the characteristics and the mechanisms of the use of conceptual metaphors in the naming of military operations in modern warfare. Based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory, this study examines conceptual metaphors in the names of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan (2001–2010) and in Iraq (2003—2010) respectively, focusing on the types of metaphors used, the semantic features of the metaphors, and the naming mechanism and reasons. The study found that the U.S. military has widely used conceptual metaphors in naming military operations, which are mainly divided into 10 types, including animals, characters, goods, and natural sights. The conceptual metaphors in naming the U.S. military actions have played a significant role in trumpeting its military strength, magnifying momentum, preaching the morality of operations, manipulating public opinion, terrifying enemy forces, reducing pressure, and beautifying its image. The study helps to further understand the use and functions of metaphorical concepts in the naming of military operations.

Keywords: military operations, naming, conceptual metaphors, metaphorical mechanisms, war

Author: Xiaobo Liang, Professor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China; Xueying Li, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China.