Emotive language in media communication: the cognitive linguistic perspective

Abstract

This study examines emotive language in media communication from a cognitive linguistic perspective, focusing on how emotional meaning is constructed through conceptual structures rather than explicit expression. The research demonstrates that emotive language is systematically organized through cognitive mechanisms such as conceptual metaphor, framing, evaluation, embodiment, and conceptual blending. Media discourse is shown to rely on stable cognitive models that shape interpretation and guide audience perception. The analysis reveals that emotional meaning is often cumulative, emerging through repeated linguistic patterns rather than isolated expressions. It also highlights the implicit nature of evaluation, where stance is embedded within descriptive language. The study is based on qualitative cognitive-discourse analysis of media texts and emphasizes the role of cognition in meaning construction. Findings indicate that emotive language does not merely influence perception but structures it. Cultural and contextual factors are also acknowledged as mediating interpretation. The results contribute to understanding the cognitive foundations of media communication.