THE DISCOURSE OF ECONOMIC CRISIS: HOW ENGLISH MEDIA NARRATES THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION

Abstract

This comprehensive research article investigates the intricate relationship between linguistic structures and economic perceptions, specifically focusing on how English-language media outlets construct the narrative of inflation. In the contemporary globalized economy, inflation is frequently reduced to quantitative data; however, this study argues that the public’s understanding of financial instability is largely mediated through specific discursive strategies. Utilizing the principles of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the article examines the transition from technical economic reporting to a "discourse of crisis." It explores the systematic use of conceptual metaphors—framing inflation as a physical predator, a natural disaster, or a combatant in a war—and how these choices influence collective consumer psychology. By analyzing editorial trends in major publications such as The Economist, The Financial Times, and The Guardian, the research demonstrates that media narratives do not merely reflect economic reality but actively shape it by prioritizing emotive framing over statistical neutrality. The findings suggest that the "English of Economics" serves as a powerful tool for political accountability and social mobilization, often bridging the gap between abstract monetary policy and the lived experience of the "cost-of-living crisis."