The Figurative Language Language of Global Headlines from BBC and CNN: Comparative Study

Abstract

This study compares the use of figurative language in BBC News and CNN News, using qualitative descriptive methods. Data from 40 social politics news stories were analyzed using Perrine's Theory. Results showed that BBC News used 35% personification, 15% synecdoche, 15% metaphor, 20% metonymy, 5% irony, 5% hyperbole, 5% simile, and nil for antithesis. CNN News used 25% personification, 30% synecdoke, 15% metaphor, 10% metonimia, 5% antithesis, 10% irony, 5% hyperbole, and zero for simile. The dominant type of figurative was personification figurative on BBC News, and synecdoche figurative on CNN News. From the comparison of the data , BBC News and CNN News have many similarities, such as the use of personification, which is the same amount of use; metaphor, and the least use of hyperbole. In this study, the differences are the amount of figurative language used, and the writer found the use of antithesis on CNN, which was not found on BBC, as well as similes, which were found on BBC news but not on CNN news.