Abstract
This article explores the pervasive use of metaphors and similes in English-speaking cultures to conceptualize and communicate about health and illness. Drawing upon cognitive linguistic and cultural studies, it examines how these figures of speech shape our understanding of the body, disease, and the healing process. The article has demonstrated how such metaphors and similes related to health and illness reflect the underlying cultural beliefs, values, and experiences by analyzing some of the most common metaphors and similes. It also discusses implications for patient-provider communication, health education, and public health campaigns.
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