Boundless mobility and traffic flow. A critical reflection on language use

This article provides evidence from the perspective of discourse linguistics that the key concepts of mobility and traffic promote non-sufficient thinking and action. The extensive use of these terms in journalism and politics triggers an understanding of mobility as an immaterial consumer good available in unlimited quantities and of traffic as a force of nature. Both metaphorical frames blind us to the use of resources engendered by mobility and traffic. The article suggests using these terms in a more conscious manner and provides alternative metaphors.