Metaphor in U.K. Bank Chairman Letter to Shareholders

Lawal, Tolulola

Abstract

Using a mixed methods approach that relies on conceptual metaphor theory, corpus linguistics, and discourse analysis, the study investigates the use and function of metaphor in a self-constructed corpus of U.K. bank chairman’s letters to shareholders during the study period, covering a state of relative stability (2002-2007), financial crisis and scandals (2008-2019), and the coronavirus pandemic (2020). We find evidence that bank chairmen use conventional metaphors to communicate with shareholders. Additionally, the choice of metaphors is conditional on the contextual environment in which banks operate. Further qualitative analysis of the metaphors supports a persuasive role that depends on the contextual environment.

Citation

Lawal, T. (online). Metaphor in U.K. Bank Chairman Letter to Shareholders. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294906241304697

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 15, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jan 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jan 6, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 6, 2025
• Print ISSN: 2329-4906
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1-25
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/23294906241304697
• Keywords: letters to shareholders, corpus linguistics, U.K. banks, conceptual metaphor, COVID-19, financial crisis, business communication
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23294906241304697