A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF METHAPHORS IN TAYLOR SWIFT’S SONG LYRICS
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Abstract
This study delves into the semantic functions and cognitive
mechanisms underpinning metaphor usage in selected lyrics from
Taylor Swift’s extensive discography. Recognized as one of the
leading contemporary singer-songwriters, Swift consistently employs
metaphorical language as a powerful expressive device to convey
complex themes including love, heartbreak, personal growth, and
the negotiation of self-identity. Drawing on Conceptual Metaphor
Theory (CMT) as the analytical framework, this paper systematically
examines how her metaphors not only embellish lyrical content but
also facilitate deeper meaning-making, evoke emotional resonance,
and enhance the overall narrative structure of her songs. Through
qualitative content analysis of key tracks spanning different albums,
the study identifies recurrent conceptual metaphors such as LOVE IS
A JOURNEY, THE SELF IS A FRACTURED ENTITY, and RELATIONSHIPS
AS PHYSICAL BATTLES, which articulate intimate emotional
experiences through culturally shared cognitive models. The findings
reveal that Swift’s metaphorical language bridges personal
storytelling with universal human experiences, thereby engaging
listeners cognitively and emotionally while reflecting broader
sociocultural understandings of identity and interpersonal dynamics.
This research contributes to the interdisciplinary fields of cognitive
linguistics, musicology, and literary studies by highlighting the
integral role of metaphor in contemporary popular music and its
capacity to shape both individual and collective meanings.
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