COGNITIVE ANALYSIS OF EVENT-ENACTING LEXICAL UNITS IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

This paper investigates the lexical units that enact events in political discourse from a cognitive-linguistic perspective. Drawing on both international studies (e.g., van Dijk on political cognition) and contributions by Uzbek scholars in the field of discourse and cognitive linguistics, the study aims to identify how certain lexical items (verbs, nouns, metaphorical expressions) function to represent, structure and influence political events in discourse. Using a corpus of political speeches and official texts, we apply qualitative (and if applicable quantitative) methods to uncover patterns of event enactment through lexis. Findings reveal that verbs of action and causation (e.g., “to secure”, “to enact”, “to mobilize”), metaphors of journey and battle, and nominalisations play a crucial role in shaping the cognitive representation of political processes. The discussion outlines implications for political persuasion, ideology reproduction, and cross-cultural discourse analysis.