This book explores the metaphors used in public and media communication to ask how language
shapes our moral reasoning about the global coronavirus crisis. The author offers insights into
the metaphors metonyms allegories and symbols of the global crisis and examines how they have
contributed to policy formation and communication. Combining metaphor theory with moral
foundations theory he places metaphors in their historical contexts and then critically
questions why certain tropes might be used in particular situations to persuade and convince an
audience. The book takes an integrated approach involving ideas from cognitive linguistics
history social psychology and literature to produce a multi-layered and thematically rich
interpretation of the language of the pandemic and its social and political consequences. It
will be relevant to readers with a background in these areas as well as anyone with a general
interest in the language used to make sense of this global event.
