Sinophobia in the semiotic representation of Covid-19 in English language newspapers

Abstract

This study examines use of semiotic resources, deployed by selected English language newspapers to describe a discourse of Sinophobia in the first wave of Covid-19. It explores how was the discourse of Sinophobia (anti-Chinese sentiments) expressed by highly circulated English language newspapers in the world? The data was based on 10 editorial articles of four English language newspapers: “The New York Times, The Guardian, The Tribune, and The Japan Times”. In addition, 30 participants’ perceptions about the semiotic choices used by these newspapers were studied to support the findings from selected editorials. Public comments were taken on the notion that they should talk about China and the role of Chinese people in spreading Covid-19. The data was interpreted through thematic analysis by codifying the emerging discursive themes. The findings reveal that semiotic resources deployed by the selected English language newspapers created a discourse of Sinophobia as the data laid great stress on the emergence of virus in the City of Wuhan, China. Moreover, the use of semiotic resources by the English language newspapers is replicated by the participants, as the language of the newspapers and participants on these semiotic resources surface positive self-claim and negative out-group. They divide between them and us, have and have not, eventually widened the language of fear, panic, and hatred.