How the intention to deceive is reflected in conceptual metaphors of a narrative?

Abstract

This study investigates how the intention to deceive is reflected in conceptual metaphors through the narratives of Elizabeth Holmes (former CEO of Theranos) and Sabrina Butler (first woman exonerated from death row). Analysing the relationship between metaphors applied by a speaker and linguistic expressions in deception adds a new perspective to the scope of scientific data on linguistic characteristics of dishonesty. Since the metaphorical phrases used in everyday communication are not controllable through deliberate will power, the conceptualisation behind them may serve as a clue to the misleading intention of the speaker. The comparison of the two narratives is delivered in the framework of Conceptual Metaphor Theory, with the following results: 1) In the deceptive speech the prevalence of the source domain of self-initiated movement, the lack of the target domain of emotions, and less creativity in figurative language use are characteristic. 2) In the true narrative the mapping of emotional self is physical self is emphasised. 3) Morality and belief are important target domains in both cases, but they stem from different aspirations. In the misleading speech the conceptualisation reflects withholding information, guilty knowledge, and the tendency to avoid responsibility, while in the truthful narrative indicate vulnerability, helplessness, and innocence. 4) Likewise, more creative figurative language use may indicate honesty, for the whole mental capacity can be utilized to depict the narrative. This study serves an exploratory purpose although shows that metaphors used in truthful and deceptive narratives reflect different conceptualisations. Consequently, it is worth engaging in the research of this field to be able to make more reliable judgments on dishonesty.