A Framing Metaphorical Analysis of China’s National Images --Based on the 2021 Economic News Reports on China of The Economist
- 1 Hefei University of Technology
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
National image is an important part of China’s “soft power”. The Economist uses a large number of metaphorical frames that relate to all aspects of China’s development. Through these metaphorical frames, The Economist endows reports with its concepts and attitudes towards China, and these metaphorical frames also influence readers in an invisible way. This thesis uses the theory of framing and conceptual metaphor to analyze about 110 economic reports on China in The Economist in 2021. Specifically, three kinds of framing metaphors are discussed. They are war metaphors, sport metaphors, and journey metaphors. By analyzing the national images constructed by metaphors in each frame, the thesis finds that the journal sees China as a rising power, with its rising international status, rapid economic growth, world-leading technology and active participation in global governance, which constructs a positive image of China as a developing and progressive country. However, due to the inherent ideological bias of the West, the report maliciously smears China’s national image, especially in terms of regime and human power. In addition, it also believes that China restricts freedom of speech and its environmental pollution is serious. In conclusion, The Economist has constructed an overall negative national image of China, which has exerted profound international influence. In the context of profound changes in the international communication environment, the author hopes that this thesis can provide some enlightenment for improving China’s international discourse power.
Keywords
The Economist, Conceptual Metaphor Theory, Framing Theory, China’s National Image
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Cite this article
Yang,X. (2024). A Framing Metaphorical Analysis of China’s National Images --Based on the 2021 Economic News Reports on China of The Economist. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,35,7-13.
Data availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.
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Volume title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies
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