Antonomastic anthroponyms in the context of the 2022 Brazilian presidential elections: An analysis under Cognitive Linguistics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17058/signo.v50i99.20509Keywords:
Cognitive Linguistics, Cognitive Onomastics, Brazilian Politics, Alternative Names, Occasional Formations, Anthroponymy, AnthroponomasticsAbstract
This study presents an investigation grounded in Cognitive Linguistics and Cognitive Semantics (Lakoff & Johnson, 2002; Geeraerts, 2006; Evans & Green, 2006; Lakoff, 2008; Kövecses, 2010) on the use of alternative names attributed to Brazilian politicians in contexts of party-electoral polarization, with a focus on the conceptual metaphors and metonymies found in occurrences of antonomasia. Antonomasia is understood as the use of a common noun in place of a proper name, reflecting ideological and identity-based framings (Garcia, 2006; Martins, 2021). The analysis is situated within Cognitive Onomastics and examines comments posted on the social network X/Twitter between August and December 2022, a period marked by the presidential elections. Designations such as Ex-Presidiário, Bolsomito, Tchutchuca do Centrão, and Carluxo were analyzed, with the names of Lula and Bolsonaro being the most frequently targeted. The most recurring metaphors were HUMAN BEING IS ANIMAL and HUMAN BEING IS MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE, while the most common metonymies were of the PART FOR WHOLE type. The analysis revealed the use of prejudiced discourse, such as machismo and LGBTQIA+phobia, by both sides of the political spectrum, highlighting ideological contradictions in attack strategies. The study concludes that nicknames function as cultural artifacts that reflect ideological frames, intensify polarization, and reveal the crucial role of language in constructing political identities in contemporary Brazil.
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