Ideology Trudges on Tabula-Rasa: A Semiotic Analysis of Selected Political Cartoons in Pakistani Newspapers
Media has become an inevitable source of information in this era of consumerism where the commodity sells as well as is sold through the discursive devices-both verbal as well as visual. This study explores how perception of socio-political reality is (re/de)constructed through media discourses with ideological underpinning-potent of both face saving and face exploitation. To cope with the research objective, a represented sample comprising political cartoons has been selected from two Pakistani newspapers-Dawn and The Nation, and mixed method is employed to analyse the sample semiotically as well as critically. For this purpose, Kress and Leeuwen's Model (2006), Fairclough’s Tridimensional Model (1995) and Van Dijk’s model (1995, 2006) have been employed to prove media discourse-a discursive and an ideological construct. The interpretation and integration of findings confirm that the discourses reveal representations of representation instead of reality and which (re/de) construct the perception of indigenous socio-political events.
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Political Cartoon, Indigenous Socio-political events, Ideology, Semiotic Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, Focus Group
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(1) Anam Fida
Visiting Faculty, Bahauddin Zakariya University, /University of Southern Punjab, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Aimun Noor
Lecturer, Department of English GS (Graduate Studies), National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Irum Musa
Visiting Faculty, Rawalpindi Women University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
A Critical Constructivist Analysis of Global Media Framing of Hindutva Narratives and Their Impact on Indian Muslims
The current research analyzes how global media frames Hindutva ideology, the political tactics of the BJP, and their influence on Indian Muslims. Employing a Critical Constructivist framework that combines Fairclough's (1992) Three-Dimensional Model of Critical Discourse Analysis(CDA) with Wendt's(1992) Constructivist theory of International Relations, the study analyzes video coverage by BBC, Al Jazeera, and ABC News, 2024. Through text, discursive, and social-practice analysis, the research uncovers how global narratives produce Modi as both a democratic reformer and authoritarian nationalist, commonly equating Hindu cultural identity with state power. The analysis illustrates that international media are not mere observers but active agents in shaping India's global identity and perceptions of its democratic integrity. The critical analysis of language, representation, and ideology highlights how media discourse legitimizes or resists political majoritarianism. The implications focus on the global media's framing of domestic ideologies and call for more critical literacy to decode international news narratives.
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Hindutva, Narendra Modi, Indian Muslims, global media framing, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), Constructivism, Secularism, Democracy, Religious Nationalism, Minority Rights
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(1) Ahmed Osama Tahir
PhD Scholar, Department of International Relations, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Memona Mujahid
PhD Scholar, Department of English, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Positive Discourse Analysis of Media Narratives on Artificial Intelligence
The framing of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in media discourses affects society's perceptions of AI and its adoption. This research explores the positive narratives of Artificial Intelligence through the lens of framing theory and Positive Discourse Analysis (PDA). This research draws on 15 newspaper articles published on platforms including The News, The Week, and BBC to identify the linguistic and discursive strategies employed to present AI in a positive light. By combining theoretical insights from framing theory and PDA, the study illustrates how media narratives help in creating empowering and inclusive representations of AI. The findings offer important lessons for academics, policymakers, and people in the media and underscore the value of constructive media discourse in determining how society views potential future technologies.
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Artificial Intelligence, Media Framing, Positive Discourse Analysis, Framing Theory, Positive Narratives, Media Discourse, Societal Perception
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(1) Warda Fareed
MPhil Scholar, Department of English Literature and Linguistics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Nasir Muhammad
MPhil Scholar, Department of English Literature and Linguistics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Muattar Hayat
MPhil Scholar, Department of English Literature and Linguistics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan.
Critical Discourse Analysis of US President Donald Trump's Speech in the UN General Assembly 2018
This study conducts an analysis of Donald J. Trump’s 2018 speech at the United Nations General Assembly through the lens of Van Dijk’s (2005) Socio-Cognitive Model, with a particular emphasis on political and critical discourse analysis. It investigates the mechanisms by which Trump defends his positions and persuades his audience, notably through the use of hyperbole and numerical exaggerations to underscore his accomplishments. The research posits that political speech has a notable impact on influencing public ideology. The linguistic analysis reveals variations in Trump’s communication strategies, highlighting his use of boastful and exaggerated statements to promote his achievements. The study employs Van Dijk’s Ideological Square along with a socio-cognitive approach as its theoretical and analytical frameworks, focusing on four key strategies. The findings suggest that Trump prioritizes exaggeration over logical argumentation and frequently engages in aggressive rhetoric against nations that challenge America’s superpower status.
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Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA); Ideological Square Framework (Van Dijk); Rhetoric in Politics, Donald J. Trump; Self-Representation (Positive); Other-Representation (Negative)
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(1) Maryam Fatima Al Hussaini
MS English (Linguistics), Department of English, Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Naima Noreen
MS English (Linguistics), Department of English, Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
The Ecosophy of Beneficial Discourse: A Corpus- Assisted Analysis of Selected Blogs on Environment
This paper addresses the heterogeneity and intricacy in the environmental discourses on blogs at the International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED), contrary to the perception of the discourses as homogenous. The study relies on the ideas of internal diversity provided by Guattari in order to analyze 80 purposely chosen blogs through the application of both quantitative and qualitative research. The study employs AntConc software to identify various ecosophical stances and thematic congruences across these discourses. The results indicate that the ecological perspective is diverse encompassing a complex, inconsistent and even contradictory human-environment relationship, consistent with the deep ecology proposed by Guattari. The insights indicate that the helpful discourse is not a single expression that can be useful, and it would be significant to acknowledge positional multiplicity in environmental decision-making and further studies.
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Ecosophy, Corpus Linguistics, Ecological Discourse, Iied Blogs, Deep Ecology, Inconsistencies, Ecological Reflections, Monolithic Strategies, Environmental Discourse, Ecological Complexities, Discours
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(1) Zarak Zeeshan
MPhil Scholar English, Department of Arts and Humanities, National University of Modern languages., Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Zawar Hussain
Assistant professor, Department of Arts and Humanities, National University of Modern languages., Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Mehran khan
Undergraduate, Department of Arts and Humanities, National University of Modern languages., Islamabad, Pakistan.
Visual (Mis)Representation: Pashtoon Culture in Pashto Film Cover Pictures
This paper will analyze how the cover images in the Pashto films represent and misrepresent the Pashtoon culture using the Triadic Model of Signs as given by Peirce. Based on six Pashto movie cover images published in 2024 and 2025, the research adopts the qualitative visual semiotic approach. The analysis focused on the relationship between the representamen (visual elements), the object (cultural concepts) and the interpretant (meanings created to viewers). The results show that the portrayal of the Pashtoon culture has the tendency to repeat, specifically the focus on hyper-masculinity, weapons and conflicts, rural themes, and traditional gender roles. Although some of the cover images depict cultural values while others tend to simplify or stereotype Pashtoon culture, thus partially misrepresenting it. The paper highlights the need for more subtle and well-balanced visual representations of the Pashtoon culture in Pashto cinema.
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Pashtoon Culture, Cover Images, Visual Semiotics, Peirce’s Triadic Model, Cultural Representation, Media Discourse
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(1) Laiba Javid
MPhil Scholar, Department of English, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, KP, Pakistan.
(2) Barkah
MPhil Scholar, Department of English, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, KP, Pakistan.
Exploring the Interpersonal Portrayal in Pakistani Children Literature: A Systemic Functional Perspective
The current study investigates social representation of characters in Pakistani children literature that is utilized within schools and specifically with the Punjab Textbook Board (PTB) textbooks in Grade 5-8. Utilizing an SFL, Interpersonal Meta-function as developed by Halliday, the study explores the issue of relationships, power and ideology of education as represented in any of the texts by linguistics choice. By establishing the method as Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and using pronouns, mood, and modality as analysis points, the study will seek to determine how language can construct or challenge dominant ideologies. Through qualitative analysis of selected texts, one examines character interactions to indicate patterns of who are included or marginalized representation, social groups, and power structures which were present. This study has its significance in various fields of education such as in the fields of curriculum engineering, linguistic analysis, and Discourse analysis.
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Systemic Functional Linguistics; Critical Discourse Analysis; Modality; Power Dynamics; Curriculum Development
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(1) Aqsa Ashraf
M.Phil Scholar, Department of English Language and Linguistics, University of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Tazanfal Tehseem
Associate Professor Department of English Language and Linguistics, University of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Asad Nazar
PhD Scholar Department of English Language and Linguistics, University of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
