L’uso della metafora nel discorso economico cinese

The discourse of Economics can be analysed by making use of the very same tools used to analyse any literary work. Though it claims to be scientific, in point of fact its final aim is to persuade, which makes it fall under the category of rhetorical discourse, as proved by the fact that, besides being articulated according to the rules of rhetoric it also displays a whole number of rhetorical devices such as metaphors and keywords used with a metaphorical intent. Taking into consideration an article by the Chinese economist Li Zuojun as a case study, I try to point out certain features of the Chinese economic discourse and its conceptual domains and metaphors.