SIG Writing Conference 2026 - EARLI

Metaphernanalyse in der multimodalen Kommunikation

Multimodal metaphor research has received significant attention in recent years, with numerous empirical studies examining metaphors across diverse genres. However, a comprehensive theoretical framework for the qualitative analysis of metaphors in multimodal communication is still lacking. By comparing theoretical approaches from social semiotics and cognitive linguistics, this study emphasizes the complementarity between these two theoretical perspectives and proposes the social semiotic integration model. The model suggests interpreting semiotic representations based on signs’ metafunctions in social semiotics and incorporates conceptual blending theory to explain the metaphors’ cognitive mechanisms. It also emphasizes the influence of pragmatic factors and relevant elements in the interpretation of semiotic representations. Using two editorial cartoons as case studies, the paper demonstrates how this model enhances metaphor analysis in multimodal contexts, leading to a deeper understanding of the text's overall meaning.

Die deutschsprachige Rechtsterminologie Belgiens

In Belgium, the ‘Commission of the German-speaking Community for German legal terminology’ plays an important role in the development of a proper “Belgian-German” legal language. It is responsible for translating federal legislative terminology into German. As such, it guards both the internal (within Belgium) and external (with other German-speaking legal systems) terminological consistency and enhances the quality of legal translations. However, empirical data on the problems that the Commission encounters and the strategies employed to overcome these are currently lacking. Without such insights, the Commission – which faces a substantial workload – will have difficulties optimising its current translation policy. To this end, this paper looks at working documents provided by the Commission which contain problematic terminological issues the Commission needed to resolve. This study analyses (i) which problems the Commission encountered, (ii) which (legal) sources it solicited, and (iii) which solutions it proposed. Results show that the Commission faces a variety of recurring problems, yet can maintain a consistent translation policy. More challenging, however, are the limited extent to which the Commission considers European legislation and the need to further explore the pragmatic dimension (readability, textual cohesion, plain language) of legislative language.

The Politicization of Linguistic Representations of Age: On the Argumentative Relevance of Age in (Municipal) Political Citizen Participation Formats

This article presents the results of a linguistic study designed to investigate how and for what purpose age is systematically made relevant in (municipal) political communication formats, older age is politicized, and how representations of age are popularized. On the basis of three recorded video excerpts of political speeches and statements, it is shown to what extent age references or representations are negotiated by the participants to achieve certain communicative goals. Among other things, deficits with regard to a lack of consideration of vulnerable groups are denounced by political agents alike. This kind of portrayal has the potential to be face-threatening for the mayors and city administrations involved. In this article, however, it is not about communication in old age, but about communication and popularization of old age in political speeches and statements.