Double-Scope Conceptual Blending in Iranian Economic Cartoons

Economic press cartoons constitute a prominent multimodal genre for representing and critiquing economic realities in the public sphere. Drawing on Fauconnier and Turner’s (۲۰۰۲) theory of conceptual blending, this study aims to examine the cognitive mechanisms underlying meaning construction and visual humor in Iranian economic press cartoons. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research analyzed a corpus of ۳۰۰ cartoons selected through random sampling, among which ۷۰ cartoons were identified as containing conceptual blending structures. In the quantitative phase, the types of blends were classified, while the qualitative phase focused on an in-depth analysis of three representative economic cartoons using the four-space blending model. The findings revealed that both single-scope and double-scope blends were employed; however, double-scope blends played a more significant role in producing critical meanings and representing economic instability. In addition, vital relations—particularly causality, identity, role, and power—were central to organizing the blended space and guiding interpretation. Discursively, the theme of currency rate increase showed the highest frequency, reflecting its symbolic role as a marker of economic insecurity in everyday experience. Overall, the study demonstrates the analytical value of conceptual blending for understanding visual humor and economic critique in press cartoons.

کلیدواژه ها:

Conceptual Blending ، Double-scope Blending ، Press Cartoons ، Economic Humor ، Cognitive Semantics