A Cognitive Linguistics approach to the ‘less is more’ paradox of communication, with specific reference to public relations messages
In this article the spotlight falls on the challenge to public relations practitioners to achieve a ‘less is more’ approach – not less communication, but less ambiguity. This article focuses on the way in which Cognitive Linguistics tools can facilitate clarity in public relations messages, as illu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Johannesburg
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Communicare |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/jcsa/article/view/1754 |
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| author | Luna Beard |
| author_facet | Luna Beard |
| author_sort | Luna Beard |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
In this article the spotlight falls on the challenge to public relations practitioners to
achieve a ‘less is more’ approach – not less communication, but less ambiguity. This
article focuses on the way in which Cognitive Linguistics tools can facilitate clarity in
public relations messages, as illustrated in the analysis of a slogan.The relationship
between assumptions within this framework and issues in public relations is pointed out
and illustrated. Within the Cognitive Linguistic analysis presented here, it is argued that
public relations messages can be analysed in terms of specific conceptual metaphors,
and that ambiguity can be limited by proposed mental mechanisms. The analysis ties in
with the claim that much of our conceptualisation of experience is metaphorical, which
both motivates and constrains our creativity.The advantages of an analysis within Cognitive
Grammar are shown to reside in its potential to interpret linguistic expressions
metaphorically and to account for stylistic phenomena.
|
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-576f41c8a50e47c6b65866ce0b2c53dc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0259-0069 2957-7950 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | University of Johannesburg |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communicare |
| spelling | doaj-art-576f41c8a50e47c6b65866ce0b2c53dc2025-01-20T08:52:08ZengUniversity of JohannesburgCommunicare0259-00692957-79502022-10-0124110.36615/jcsa.v24i1.1754A Cognitive Linguistics approach to the ‘less is more’ paradox of communication, with specific reference to public relations messagesLuna Beard0University of the Free State In this article the spotlight falls on the challenge to public relations practitioners to achieve a ‘less is more’ approach – not less communication, but less ambiguity. This article focuses on the way in which Cognitive Linguistics tools can facilitate clarity in public relations messages, as illustrated in the analysis of a slogan.The relationship between assumptions within this framework and issues in public relations is pointed out and illustrated. Within the Cognitive Linguistic analysis presented here, it is argued that public relations messages can be analysed in terms of specific conceptual metaphors, and that ambiguity can be limited by proposed mental mechanisms. The analysis ties in with the claim that much of our conceptualisation of experience is metaphorical, which both motivates and constrains our creativity.The advantages of an analysis within Cognitive Grammar are shown to reside in its potential to interpret linguistic expressions metaphorically and to account for stylistic phenomena. https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/jcsa/article/view/1754public relations practitioner‘less is moreless ambiguityCognitive Linguisticsassumptionspublic relations messages |
| spellingShingle | Luna Beard A Cognitive Linguistics approach to the ‘less is more’ paradox of communication, with specific reference to public relations messages Communicare public relations practitioner ‘less is more less ambiguity Cognitive Linguistics assumptions public relations messages |
| title | A Cognitive Linguistics approach to the ‘less is more’ paradox of communication, with specific reference to public relations messages |
| title_full | A Cognitive Linguistics approach to the ‘less is more’ paradox of communication, with specific reference to public relations messages |
| title_fullStr | A Cognitive Linguistics approach to the ‘less is more’ paradox of communication, with specific reference to public relations messages |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Cognitive Linguistics approach to the ‘less is more’ paradox of communication, with specific reference to public relations messages |
| title_short | A Cognitive Linguistics approach to the ‘less is more’ paradox of communication, with specific reference to public relations messages |
| title_sort | cognitive linguistics approach to the less is more paradox of communication with specific reference to public relations messages |
| topic | public relations practitioner ‘less is more less ambiguity Cognitive Linguistics assumptions public relations messages |
| url | https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/jcsa/article/view/1754 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lunabeard acognitivelinguisticsapproachtothelessismoreparadoxofcommunicationwithspecificreferencetopublicrelationsmessages AT lunabeard cognitivelinguisticsapproachtothelessismoreparadoxofcommunicationwithspecificreferencetopublicrelationsmessages |