“Tilapia Da Conceptual Blender”: A Cognitive Linguistics Approach to Ghanaian Political Cartoons

Abstract

This study analyzes the comic alternative to formal news in Ghanaian political media. Political cartoonists provide relief from formal political discourses. Using political cartoons created under the pen name Tilapia, this study discusses the pictorial representation of political issues, how cartoons are employed in Ghanaian media to allude to biblical stories, and the impact of humor on public and political discourse. This impact can be realized when such cartoons go viral and spark widespread public debates or political discussions. Specifically, by applying the Conceptual Blending Theory of meaning-making and a content analytical approach, this study unpacks how cartoons used in Ghanaian political news highlight social identities and representations of political figures. This study shows how cartoons induce a whole background of meanings by using relevant biblical stories common to Ghanaians. The analysis demonstrates that, in addition to their amusement purposes, political cartoons offer alternative ways of criticizing politicians. We observed that the conceptual connection between the cartoons and the projected background stories was coherent with the stereotypes, beliefs, and opinions of the political leaders depicted.