Ahrens, KathleenKathleenAhrensJiang, MenghanMenghanJiangDr. ZENG Huiheng, WinnieWinnieDr. ZENG Huiheng2023-09-272023-09-272021In Degani, M. & Callies, M. (Eds.). 2021. Metaphor in language and culture across world englishes (pp. 105-128).9781350157552http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/8031Conceptual metaphors invoking the source domain of building are oft en found in political speeches to promote long-term commitment to social goals ( Charteris-Black 2004 ). In this chapter, we look for evidence that use of metaphors relying on the source domain of building may vary between two groups of political leaders in Hong Kong: the British Governors who ruled Hong Kong prior to mid-1997 and the Chief Executives who have been selected to lead the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China since mid-1997. We fi nd that these two groups of leaders use the building source domain diff erently, with the Chief Executives using it comparatively more frequently. In addition, Chief Executives also use it more oft en to focus on future goals, as well as to reference Mainland China and the Chinese government. Lastly, we also fi nd diff erences in the priority of the mappings between the source domain and associated target domains for a subset of keywords. Th ese fi ndings indicate that even within one variety of English, there are key diff erences in how the source domain of building is used to support and sustain a particular political stance.enBook Chapter