University of Split, CroatiaUniversity of Split, Croatia

DANICA ŠKARA, PhDDANICA ŠKARA, PhD

dskara@ffst.hrdskara@ffst.hr

THE EURO-SHIP AND ITS CREWTHE EURO-SHIP AND ITS CREW: : TOWARD A METAPHORICAL TOWARD A METAPHORICAL

RECONCEPTUALIZATION OF THE EURECONCEPTUALIZATION OF THE EU

The main target of this paper is to analyse The main target of this paper is to analyse the process the process of the EU integration and its linguistic of the EU integration and its linguistic reconceptualizationreconceptualization: :

globalizationglobalization processes and its vocabulary processes and its vocabulary cognitive theoretical cognitive theoretical background: conceptual background: conceptual

metaphorsmetaphors A limited A limited samplesample of the dominant metaphors of of the dominant metaphors of

Euro-debates is used. It highlights the characteristic Euro-debates is used. It highlights the characteristic differences of the EU's 'image' within and outside differences of the EU's 'image' within and outside (candidate country) the EU.(candidate country) the EU.

According to G. Lakoff (2008) According to G. Lakoff (2008) ‘‘our future depends our future depends critically on which metaphorical conceptions critically on which metaphorical conceptions predominate.predominate.’’

Political changes in Europe in recent Political changes in Europe in recent decades have created a new and decades have created a new and unfamiliar political and linguistic unfamiliar political and linguistic landscape. The notion of Europe becomes landscape. The notion of Europe becomes more and more challenge to more and more challenge to comprehension. comprehension.

The European Community is a The European Community is a child of child of the Cold War. the Cold War. (EUROMETA)(EUROMETA)

The only certainty about the The only certainty about the new new Europe now struggling to be bornEurope now struggling to be born is is that its shape and character remain that its shape and character remain uncertain for a long tome to come. uncertain for a long tome to come. (EUROMETA)(EUROMETA)

A FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING A FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING GLOBALIZATION AND GLOBALIZATION AND

EUROPEANISATIONEUROPEANISATION Globalization Globalization and and EuropeanizationEuropeanization are two are two

phenomena with important potential political phenomena with important potential political and linguistic implications. They are often and linguistic implications. They are often perceived as perceived as complementary, overlapping, complementary, overlapping, mutually reinforcing, but also competing mutually reinforcing, but also competing processes. processes.

Global Global villagevillage--Common EuropeCommon Europeaan n househouse InterpolInterpol--EuropolEuropol World BankWorld Bank--European Central bankEuropean Central bank World cupWorld cup--Euro-cupEuro-cup

Besides differences these two processes Besides differences these two processes share share common vocabularycommon vocabulary and common and common conceptual background based on a new conceptual background based on a new reality, e.g. reality, e.g.

Computer terminologyComputer terminology offers a rich source offers a rich source of metaphors transplanted all over the of metaphors transplanted all over the worldworld: : cookie, bug, office, windows, cookie, bug, office, windows, viruses, garbage,viruses, garbage, air bags, bionic organs, air bags, bionic organs, cyborgs, ROM, hackers, electronic mail, cyborgs, ROM, hackers, electronic mail, artificial intelligence, machine languages, artificial intelligence, machine languages, black holes, etc. black holes, etc.

GlobalizationGlobalization

According to P. S. Aulakh & M.G. Schechter (2000; 3) According to P. S. Aulakh & M.G. Schechter (2000; 3) globalization globalization can be seen as ‘can be seen as ‘a form of cross-national or a form of cross-national or supranational interconnectedness, interdependence.’ supranational interconnectedness, interdependence.’ The The concept of integration is not used.concept of integration is not used.

In a period of rapid growth of science and technology, new In a period of rapid growth of science and technology, new geopolitical shifts and globalization processes, new geopolitical shifts and globalization processes, new metalanguage appears based on global perception of the world, metalanguage appears based on global perception of the world, e.g. e.g. global village, global terror, global village, global terror, World Wide Web (WWW), new World Wide Web (WWW), new world order, gworld order, global citizenshiplobal citizenship, , World BankWorld Bank , , International International Monetary Fund (IMF)Monetary Fund (IMF), , World Trade Organization (WTO)World Trade Organization (WTO), , Global Global WarmingWarming, , INTELSATINTELSAT,, etc.etc.

The use of The use of global metaphorsglobal metaphors reveals not only changed currents reveals not only changed currents of our thoughts but also the structures of a radically modified of our thoughts but also the structures of a radically modified society. society.

GLOBE=NETWORK, WEBGLOBE=NETWORK, WEB

The notion of a The notion of a networknetwork is is quite a new concept quite a new concept referring to referring to the diffusion of global norms, e.g. the diffusion of global norms, e.g. network society, media network, Internet Explorer, network society, media network, Internet Explorer, World Wide Web, World Wide Web, etc. etc.

At the core of this metaphor is the notion that At the core of this metaphor is the notion that ideas, values are transferred along more or less ideas, values are transferred along more or less stable sets of relationships. A networkstable sets of relationships. A network can be can be defined ‘as a collection of links between elements defined ‘as a collection of links between elements of a unit.’ (J.van Dijk (2006:24)of a unit.’ (J.van Dijk (2006:24)

‘‘Our world has become truly globally connected. Our world has become truly globally connected. With little exaggeartion we may call the 21 century With little exaggeartion we may call the 21 century the age of networksthe age of networks.' (J. van Dijk, 2006:2).' (J. van Dijk, 2006:2)

Networks connecting individuals, groups, organizations and societies.

Source: Van Dijk 2001/2003

Information, communication=flowInformation, communication=flow

Global connectivity entails not only Global connectivity entails not only concrete concrete flows flows (of information, money, (of information, money, people, etc.), but also states of mind, e.g. people, etc.), but also states of mind, e.g. the flow of democratic ideas from one part the flow of democratic ideas from one part of the globe to another.of the globe to another.

Globalization involves the growing Globalization involves the growing magnitute of interconnections of patterns magnitute of interconnections of patterns of interactions and flows between societies of interactions and flows between societies and states.and states.

EuropeanisationEuropeanisation

European integration’ covers aspects of these European integration’ covers aspects of these phenomena that are focused on Europe and that phenomena that are focused on Europe and that involve European institutions: involve European institutions: European Central European Central Bank,Bank, European Parliament, European Parliament, European Court of European Court of JusticeJustice, European Commission, European , European Commission, European Council, Council, Europol,Europol, Committee of the Regions, Committee of the Regions, Committee of Economic and Social AffairsCommittee of Economic and Social Affairs, , etc.etc.

Geo-political changes and the reconstruction of Geo-political changes and the reconstruction of the EU have left their trace in different discourse the EU have left their trace in different discourse types related to the concept of a “new Europe.” : types related to the concept of a “new Europe.” : multi-speed Europe, New Europe,multi-speed Europe, New Europe, Europe of Europe of variable geometry, variable geometry, etc.etc.

THE METAPHORISATION OF EUROPEAN THE METAPHORISATION OF EUROPEAN

POLITICSPOLITICS

The cognitive linguistic view maintains The cognitive linguistic view maintains that conceptual metaphors are based on a that conceptual metaphors are based on a variety of human experience…variety of human experience…

We consider metaphors as appropriate We consider metaphors as appropriate cognitive tools to analyse these two cognitive tools to analyse these two phenomena. phenomena.

Metaphors enable us to think about states Metaphors enable us to think about states in terms of their bodies, health, or to see in terms of their bodies, health, or to see states as houses, or natural forces (target-states as houses, or natural forces (target-source domain). source domain).

We will introduce the concepts of We will introduce the concepts of shared language and transnational shared language and transnational speech community exemplifying speech community exemplifying them with reference to the EU them with reference to the EU integration. ‘Eurospeak’ is a shared integration. ‘Eurospeak’ is a shared symbolic system that speakers symbolic system that speakers create through their mutual create through their mutual interactions. interactions.

FORCE

FOOD

NETWOK

BALANCE

LIQUID/

WATER

COMMUNIY

CLUB

CONCENTRIC CIRCLES

NON-DEFINE

D SPACE

MACHINE

HOME/FAMILYFURNITURE

PERSONBODY

MOVEMET

EUROPE

movement

27%

building

13%person

7%

body

7%

circ le

7%

war

6%

border

5%

furniture

5%

machine

4%

food

4%

Club/union

3%

water

3%

space

2%

animal

2%

sport

1%

balance

1%

force

1%

network

1%

movement

building

person

body

circ le

war

border

furniture

machine

food

Club/union

water

space

animal

sport

balance

force

network

European Union=process, change, movement European Union=process, change, movement (journey) > (27%)(journey) > (27%)

Spatial metaphors describe the EU Spatial metaphors describe the EU enlargenment in terms of movement, enlargenment in terms of movement, journey (e.g. “new steps”, “moving journey (e.g. “new steps”, “moving forward”, “brave steps into forward”, “brave steps into uncharted territory”, to speed (e.g. uncharted territory”, to speed (e.g. “accelerate the integration”, “accelerate the integration”, “slowing-down the train”), to moving “slowing-down the train”), to moving objects (e.g. “new locomotive”, “our objects (e.g. “new locomotive”, “our boat, deck of the Eurobus, the boat, deck of the Eurobus, the economic motorway, bicycle) .economic motorway, bicycle) .

Multi-track, Multi-speed:Multi-track, Multi-speed: Europe is a giant Europe is a giant

motorway systemmotorway system We absolutely do not want that the We absolutely do not want that the

slowest slowest shipship decides decides the pace of the the pace of the convoyconvoy," the chancellor said, repeating ," the chancellor said, repeating the words used last week by Mr. Wolfgang the words used last week by Mr. Wolfgang Schäuble. (EUROMETA)Schäuble. (EUROMETA)

Our Our boatboat is practically full. (EUROMETA)is practically full. (EUROMETA) Practically everyone— not least the IMF — Practically everyone— not least the IMF —

wants Europe to become wants Europe to become the locomotivethe locomotive of world recovery once the US growth of world recovery once the US growth machine inevitably slows down. machine inevitably slows down. (EUROMETA)(EUROMETA)

EU=building, home, furniture (21%)EU=building, home, furniture (21%)

The metaphorical expressions of The metaphorical expressions of CONTAINER understand the EU in terms CONTAINER understand the EU in terms of building or its parts (e.g. “European of building or its parts (e.g. “European edifice”, “foundations”). edifice”, “foundations”).

For once within For once within "Fortress Europe"Fortress Europe", they ", they would be free to move around the other would be free to move around the other Schengen nations. (EUROMETA)Schengen nations. (EUROMETA)

If we were to join the single currency we If we were to join the single currency we "could find [ourselves] trapped in the "could find [ourselves] trapped in the economic equivalent of economic equivalent of a burning a burning building with no exitsbuilding with no exits". (EUROMETA)". (EUROMETA)

EU=PERSON (BODY, PARTS OF THE EU=PERSON (BODY, PARTS OF THE BODY, FAMILY) (14%)BODY, FAMILY) (14%)

The body was an important The body was an important metaphor through which the metaphor through which the European state was understood. As European state was understood. As the metaphor makes clear, social life the metaphor makes clear, social life and the political system are, just like and the political system are, just like the various parts of the body. the various parts of the body.

Europe must cure its own Europe must cure its own ills. ills. Europe’s sclerosisEurope’s sclerosis is due as much is due as much too inflexible macroeconomic policy too inflexible macroeconomic policy as inflexible labour markets. as inflexible labour markets. (EUROMETA)(EUROMETA)

He wanted Britain to be at He wanted Britain to be at the heart the heart of Europeof Europe. Yet too often he found . Yet too often he found himself alone himself alone at the end of a limb. at the end of a limb. (EUROMETA)(EUROMETA)

EU=CONCENTRIC CIRCLE (7%)EU=CONCENTRIC CIRCLE (7%)

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

CORE

EU=CONCENTRIC CIRCLEEU=CONCENTRIC CIRCLE

‘‘For long years to come , Europe will For long years to come , Europe will consist of a consist of a central, homogeneous central, homogeneous corecore, made up essentially of France and , made up essentially of France and Germany," he said. Germany," he said. The second The second concentric circleconcentric circle would include the would include the weaker European states, such as Britain. weaker European states, such as Britain. The outer groupThe outer group would take in the would take in the nations of East Europe which could not nations of East Europe which could not hope to meet the criteria of EU hope to meet the criteria of EU membership for some time.membership for some time.’’ (EUROMETA) (EUROMETA)

EU=FOODEU=FOOD (4%) (4%) EU is often conceptualized as a EU is often conceptualized as a food/menufood/menu in in

the meaning of diversity. The concept of the the meaning of diversity. The concept of the food evokes positive/familiar associations.food evokes positive/familiar associations.

That way, we may end up with That way, we may end up with a menua menu for the for the many, not something which is many, not something which is à la carte à la carte capitalismcapitalism.. When such a When such a menumenu is written, let us is written, let us also have the courage to tell the British public that also have the courage to tell the British public that it will be its choice — in the form of a referendum— it will be its choice — in the form of a referendum— whether it wants whether it wants to dineto dine at such a at such a European European banquetbanquet or discard it as a feast of fools. or discard it as a feast of fools. (EUROMETA)(EUROMETA)

EU=COMMUNITYEU=COMMUNITYASSOCIATION, CLUB (3%)ASSOCIATION, CLUB (3%)

The alternative Thatcherite model of an The alternative Thatcherite model of an inter-governmental community — run inter-governmental community — run essentially behind closed doors by the essentially behind closed doors by the council of ministers, the council of ministers, the club of club of member statesmember states — could lead to far — could lead to far more unaccountable centralisation of more unaccountable centralisation of power than out-in-the-open federalism.power than out-in-the-open federalism.(EUROMETA)(EUROMETA)

Blair fights for entry to ‘euro club’.Blair fights for entry to ‘euro club’.(EUROMETA)(EUROMETA)

The EU integration seen from outsideThe EU integration seen from outside The image of the EU as an The image of the EU as an entity closed to entity closed to

outsidesoutsides (a rich man's club) is the most (a rich man's club) is the most frequent. Other concepts are: frequent. Other concepts are: EU as family, EU as family, old lady, motion, building, fortress,old lady, motion, building, fortress, etc. etc.

In official documents issued by the EU In official documents issued by the EU administration Croatia is often concieved as administration Croatia is often concieved as a part of the a part of the Western Balkan Countries, Western Balkan Countries, convergence regions, Central and convergence regions, Central and Eastern Europe, candidate country, Eastern Europe, candidate country, underdeveloped countries, developing underdeveloped countries, developing countries, emergent nations, candidate countries, emergent nations, candidate country, neighbouring county,country, neighbouring county, etc. etc.

In the same time, Croatian speakers see In the same time, Croatian speakers see themselves as themselves as a a bridge, South Eastern bridge, South Eastern Europe, Middle Europe, collateral victim, Europe, Middle Europe, collateral victim, the wall against the East, Croatia sees the wall against the East, Croatia sees itself as a fortress against the Turkish itself as a fortress against the Turkish invasion (antemurale christiantitatis). invasion (antemurale christiantitatis).

Balkan is Croatian geographical prison, Balkan is Croatian geographical prison, while Europe is its escape from the East, while Europe is its escape from the East, etc.etc.

E.g. The EU cannot keep its Balkan E.g. The EU cannot keep its Balkan neighbours locked up forever. neighbours locked up forever. ((http://www.neurope.eu.artiles/78351.phphttp://www.neurope.eu.artiles/78351.php

ConclusionConclusion

Two competing visions of the EU may Two competing visions of the EU may be identified:be identified:

ConcentricConcentric Europe, also known as Europe, also known as core and periphery, envisions a core core and periphery, envisions a core group of countries. group of countries.

Variable geometry- Variable geometry- a way of a way of organising the EU has to be found organising the EU has to be found that permits different permutationsthat permits different permutations..

In France and the Benelux countries In France and the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg) the Luxemburg) the circle modelcircle model is is promoted.promoted.

British politics see British politics see variable/flexible variable/flexible geometrygeometry as a goal. as a goal.

The compromise between a The compromise between a core project core project and a variable geometryand a variable geometry approach approach reflects the current political reality.reflects the current political reality.

‘‘Is the Franco-German couple really the Is the Franco-German couple really the heart of the European Unionheart of the European Union, as he , as he said during the campaign, or are Britain’s said during the campaign, or are Britain’s Conservatives right to imagine they have Conservatives right to imagine they have found found a fellow-skeptic to flirta fellow-skeptic to flirt with?’ with?’ (source: EUROMETA)(source: EUROMETA)

To sum up, the common sense about the EU To sum up, the common sense about the EU consists of some well established metaphors: consists of some well established metaphors:

the EU AS MOTIONthe EU AS MOTION the the EU AS a buildingEU AS a building The EU AS a person/bodyThe EU AS a person/body. . Positions of the EU candidate countries on the EU Positions of the EU candidate countries on the EU

institutional reform were quite fuzzy.institutional reform were quite fuzzy. The reunification of Eastern and Western Europe The reunification of Eastern and Western Europe

was see as bridging together two unequal sides: a was see as bridging together two unequal sides: a new Europe/old Europe.new Europe/old Europe.

The accession of the Central and Eastern EU The accession of the Central and Eastern EU states as their return to the European familystates as their return to the European family

We can conclude that We can conclude that Europe is under Europe is under constructionconstruction. .

On one hand On one hand globalisationglobalisation is offering a is offering a framework to be used to achieve framework to be used to achieve modernity, interconnectednessmodernity, interconnectedness, , compression of time and space compression of time and space (network, flow)(network, flow), etc., etc.

On the other hand On the other hand EuropeanisationEuropeanisation is is founded on the concept of founded on the concept of movement, movement, mobility, building, body, space, mobility, building, body, space, cooperation, harmonization, cooperation, harmonization, integration integration and and partnership partnership ..