Metaphorical Image of Future of Russia in Context of Constitutional Reform of 2020 (French Media)

Abstract

The article examines the cognitive patterns of the representation of the image of the future of Russia in the French media (Le Monde, L'Express, Le Point, RFI, Liberation, Le Nouvel Observateur). The analysis of a corpus of 140 French metaphors, updated in the context of the constitutional reform in Russia in 2020 and performing a predictive function in the process of conceptualizing the future of Russia, is carried out. It is noted that in order to achieve the set goal of the work, it is advisable to use the method of cognitive research of metaphors, united by the target sphere of metaphorical expansion. The results of the analysis of the leading metaphorical models of the image of the future of Russia are presented: The future of Russia is the past / USSR / old age / decline, Russia in the future is an absolute monarchy / limited space / fortified military facility. It is shown that the image of the future of Russia is formed in the French media exclusively by negative metaphorical word usage. It is concluded that the metaphorical expressions used to describe the constitutional reform in Russia in 2020 are being updated by the French political elites to form the image of Russia as an undemocratic country devoid of a positive future.