GASTRONOMIC DISCOURSE AND CULTURAL IDENTITY: A LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF FOOD TOURISM NARRATIVES

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between gastronomic discourse and cultural identity through a linguistic analysis of food tourism narratives. It examines how language is used to represent culinary experiences in various forms of media, including travel blogs, restaurant reviews, and social platforms. The study highlights the role of linguistic elements such as metaphor, storytelling, evaluative vocabulary, and cultural references in shaping perceptions of food and constructing cultural meanings. Special attention is given to how gastronomic discourse reflects traditions, heritage, and collective memory, while also facilitating intercultural communication. The article argues that language is not merely a descriptive tool but a powerful medium that influences the promotion of gastronomic tourism and the formation of cultural identity in a globalized world