American Discourse Research Articles

The Batman and the redemption of first responders: The culmination of a rhetoric of rescue during COVID-19, Trump and protest

The timing of Matt Reeves’s The Batman (2022) situated the film as a symbol of and response to the social troubles that resulted from the political unrest in 2020 and 2021, presenting solution-driven rhetoric amidst the numerous public crises in American discourse and identity. Captured and represented in his opening prologue speech in juxtaposition to his rhetorical culmination speech, Batman’s orations mirror his own arc and the politically prescribed reawakening of confidence in political figures and institutions. Paralleling his addresses, the evolution of Batman’s excessive violence when he initially works under the identity of ‘Vengeance’, compared to his subsequent performance as a first responder at the end of the film, serves as a rhetoric of redemption for first responders. Multiple scenes focus on Batman’s learning to recognize humans’ need for compassion as he becomes a student of social progress. Working as a unifying symbol of a diverse leader, Gotham’s newly elected mayor, Bella Reál, simultaneously offers a vision for transitioning away from leaders associated with racist and sexist discourse. With Batman’s rhetorical culmination and transformation into an emergency rescuer, The Batman serves as unifying verbal and visual discourse in response to contemporary political unrest.

Guns, goons, and the waterfront priest: Remaking Manila's anti-communist docks in 1950

This article examines how early Cold War anti-communism transformed labor processes at the Port of Manila. In 1950 the threat of communism at the city's port gained the attention of the highest reaches of the US State Department. Shifting diplomatic discourses and a changing Cold War map imbued new meaning into trade union racketeering and Filipino dockworkers who were, it was dubiously argued, on the verge of joining the country's communists. Through archival analysis of diplomatic dispatches, intelligence reports, and newspaper sources, this article examines a series of spectacular events and covert political diplomacy. In particular it explains how an American Jesuit priest in Manila earned the trust of the State Department and played an outsized role in remaking pier-side labor politics. As concern grew in Washington, American diplomats covertly intervened to back the priest. In detailing how the piers staged global geopolitics, the article also situates these affairs in local political contexts to argue for a more nuanced understanding of anti-communism in Southeast Asia. Filipino trade union leaders and government officials colluded with but also subverted and remade American discourses and diplomacy to their own political and economic advantage.

Conservative Christianity, Anti-Vaccination Activism, and the Challenge to Secularism in Singapore

Abstract A culture war has been brewing in Singapore since 2009 when a conservative Christian group conducted a reverse takeover of a feminist civil society organization and was subsequently expelled from the organization in a publicized meeting between the two groups. Since then, the state has mediated the contestation of values between religious conservatives and liberal groups allied around issues of gender and sexuality. The culture war between the two sides has revolved around creative protests that have evaded state prohibitions against public contestations over what is legally considered private beliefs and affairs. They involve innovative hybridizations of American discourses on values and rights mixed with Asian emphases on family traditions and sentiments. The COVID-19 pandemic has, however, laid bare the adaptation of the American culture war into the Singaporean public sphere. This article looks at and analyzes COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among conservative Christians in Singapore and their incorporation of anti-vaccination views from American Christian nationalism into secular framings, invoking legal rights and responsibilities aligned with the state’s nationalist discourse. I argue that this represents a new phase of contestation by conservatives, refashioning their religious views into secular frames of public good and morality serving the secular nation. By doing so, they implicitly challenge the state’s regulation of religion as private interests and beliefs. This altered religious activism has shifted the terms of secularism and loosened the hegemony of the state in defining these terms.

Gender, Class, and Slavery in Plautus’ Rudens in 1884 St. Louis

Abstract: The performance of Rudens in 1884 by the Ladies’ Literary Society of Washington University allows consideration of discourses surrounding the problems of slavery and emancipation in 1884 St. Louis. Comparing Plautus’ text (and representation of Roman slavery), the English translation prepared to accompany the performance, and published reviews of the performance reveals crucial redactions and alterations. Even as reviews reveal enthusiasm for the theatrical production, judged authentic for costuming and Latin pronunciation, the changes are shown to reproduce traditional American discourses about slavery and freedom, contemporary narratives about free Blacks, and local, campus discourses about the end of Reconstruction.

Metaphor Power in the US-China Trade War Discourse

The article studies the role of metaphor in modeling the enemy image in the US-China trade war discourse. Based on the metaphor power theory, speech impact of metaphors on cognitive, semantic and communicative levels is described. The cognitive level of metaphor power is manifested in the metaphors of different intensity, namely conventional and noval, semantic metaphor power is manifested in the metaphors that differ in semantics and language form, namely orientational, ontological and structural, and, finally, communicative metaphor power is associated with the metaphor’s position in the text structure. All the three levels of metaphor power can be identified quantitatively by metaphor power indices (MII – intensity index, MfTI – index of functional typology, MStI – index of the text structure). Indices are interpreted on the data of previously conducted case studies, which allows us to determine the degree of metaphor power. Proposed methodology also includes identification of the most typical metaphorical models that make it possible to describe direction and content of discursive conceptualization. News texts corpora representing the trade war have been studied, showing Chinese discourse being more influential with indicators of intensity and functional typology indices reflecting the emotionality and transformational nature of the metaphors used, while metaphors in American articles seem to be more aimed at rational and identification impact. The main target concepts in the studied texts were “trade war” as a new reality of bilateral relations between countries and the actors of these relations, the US and the PRC. In the trade war discourse, the image of trade war is created as a “fierce geopolitical battle” (China) or “inevitable economic confrontation” (USA). Metaphors are also used to make changes to the evaluative component of the concepts CHINA (as a thief and a fraudster in American discourse) and USA (as a gendarme with a baton in Chinese discourse) in order to form a certain attitude and cause-and-effect relationships in their audience.Keywords

Языковые особенности общественно-политического дискурса: на примере сопоставления политических речей британских и американских политиков

The paper examines the linguistic features of political discourse. Using British and American political speeches, the researchers identify the general and specific features in the political discourse of statesmen speaking different national languages. The aim of the study is to describe the linguistic means and axiological categories used in the political speeches of British and American politicians that reflect the national and cultural specifics of the two states at the level of political discourse. The scientific novelty of the study is determined by the choice of the object and subject of analysis: using the example of linguistic means, the paper is the first to identify and compare the common and specific characteristics of the two nations in terms of modeling political discourse in British English and American English. As a result of examining transcripts of political speeches, certain coincidences have been revealed, on the one hand, in the use of linguistic means and axiological categories when creating political speeches, on the other hand, the peculiarities of the national and cultural specificity of American discourse, which manifested itself in such tropes as alliteration, gradation, comparison, syntactic parallelism. It has been found that in the creation of British political speeches, preference is given to repetition and polysyndeton, which are barely represented in American discourse.

Missing the Wood for the Trees: How Indian Legal Education Fails to Deliver the Professional Lawyer?

In this work, we compare the Indian and American legal education systems, to argue that the former lacks the toolkit to impart professionalism among its graduates. ‘Professionalism’ in American literature means the internalization of legal skills along with values of public service. The formation of these cognitive attributes through law school and formative years is known as ‘professional identity formation’. We refer to the American discourse of professionalism and argue that Indian legal education should switch to the American Bar Association output-based model, thereby creating a clear goal but flexible pathways, allowing for faculty-led innovation in courses, curricula and pedagogy. We also underline other aspects of Indian legal education like faculty shortages and barriers between academia and profession as causative factors preventing the growth of professionalism in law graduates, which may eventually disadvantage them in the global workplace. We call for reform and discourse of the basic attitudes of the Bar Council of India and the legal educators.

A Comparative Study of Chinese and American Political Speech on COVID-19 from the Perspective of Speech Act Theory

As crucial instruments of power, political speeches significantly impact individuals’ political lives. Utilizing Austin’s Speech Act theory as a theoretical framework, this study comparatively analyzes the initial speeches given by the presidents of China and the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to uncover the manner in which both presidents convey their political attitudes through illocutionary acts and investigate the value disparities embedded within their speech acts. The results indicate that the Chinese political address related to COVID-19 includes a greater frequency of directive and representative speech, accentuating the significance of summation and guidance while mirroring China’s status as a socialist nation that prioritizes its citizens. Conversely, the American discourse features more expressive and directive language, underlining the role of speech in modulating public emotions and articulating the speaker’s personal political agenda. This research substantiates and illustrates the practicality of employing Speech Act Theory in political discourse analysis, aiming to enlighten future research within the realm of discourse investigation.

Just in Time: Calling, Responding, and Making Music from the Soul

ABSTRACT Although Kairos in Greek mythology is often depicted as the winged son of Zeus who grants to those who lay hold of his single lock of hair their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, in traditional African American culture, particularly when it comes to speech, Kairos is essentially family. Given how much African American speakers depend on seizing the moment to invoke spiritual connections, emit laughter, and profess the truth, Kairos, or what we might call CPT (“Colored People’s Time”), can be summoned almost at will. One of the African American discourses this article will use to illustrate this point is Call and Response, a verbal exchange in which speakers and listeners attune to one another and to the timeliness of an event. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was such an event, but it wouldn’t have been so were it not for the timely responding of his favorite gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson.

Метафорическое моделирование образа президента США Джо Байдена в англоязычном политическом медиадискурсе

This paper dwells on the metaphorical representation of the image of the current US president, Joe Biden, in contemporary English-language political media discourse. The study aimed to describe and systematize the metaphorical models of Biden’s current media image as well as explicate its perception reflected in the national worldview of the native speakers of English. The article considers conceptual metaphor as one of the main image-creating tools in media texts having considerable pragmatic potential. A variety of scientific methods were used in the research: continuous sampling to select texts published from Biden’s inauguration to the present day; cognitive discursive interpretation of metaphorical models to describe their frame structure; component analysis to identify the source domain of the metaphorical expansion of some concepts and their contents (pragmatic meanings); classification method to systematize the models and their representations. The research results show a dominance of the metaphorical models that engender a negative image of the 46th US president in contemporary English-language media. These models actualize the negative signs of being too old, aggressive and unfit for ruling, as well as intellectual decay and some other negative traits of his image, which demonstrates a clear dislike of Biden in the English-language political media discourse and can indirectly cause corresponding reactions and attitudes towards him in society. The comparison of the subspheres of metaphorical expansion showed that the source domain Society has the highest productivity and a slight positive potential. This domain’s representations demonstrate an attempt at a positive conceptualization of Biden’s personality in American discourse. Furthermore, comparing the subspheres of metaphorization contributes to a better understanding of conceptual metaphor functions and common tendencies towards metaphorical representation of a political figure in mass media discourse.

The United States and China in the Indian Ocean: a view from New Delhi

The article is devoted to the study of the attitude of the Indian ruling class and social groups serving it to the presence of China and the United States in the Indian Ocean. The history of this presence, its perception in Chinese, Indian and American discourse is considered. The author believes that for India's elites, China appears to be a "convenient rival" as a source of constant existential fear that will never turn into reality. This fear, however, affects Indian society so strongly that it itself becomes the subject of securitization.

The Conundrum of Ethnic Discrimination and Identity Crisis in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah

The issue of Racial discrimination has emerged as a pressing concern worldwide in general and in the United States in particular in recent times, posing a significant challenge to human rights. Racial discrimination constitutes a grave violation of human rights, which encompasses a broad spectrum of human rights violations, including the adoption of discriminatory practices, the marginalization of domestic issues, and the unjust targeting of ethnic or religious minorities, refugees, and immigrants, often branding them as criminals, either intentionally or inadvertently (Smith & Johnson, n.d.). In this context, the present study aims to examine the facet of ethnic and racial discrimination that is meted out against the African immigrant community in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah. This study tries to investigate the instances of racial discrimination that are orchestrated on the protagonist Ifemelu and her deep longing for ethnic identity after she migrated from Nigeria to America. This research paper also examines the myriad forms of racial politics and myths of sexism and racism prevalent in the American discourses in the light of Intersectionality theory.

THE CULTURAL CONSTRUCTION OF BARBIE IN AMERICAN DISCOURSES: NORMAN FAIRCLOUGH’S CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

The cultural construction of Barbie in American Discourses explains how Barbie as an American popular product is seen, talked about, and understood by the public. Barbie, a fashion doll that has successfully developed into an American icon, has been a subject of discussion since its first publication in 1959. The fact that it supposedly played the role of a simple children’s toy yet can capture the adults’ interests shows that there is something particular in Barbie that might also be deemed relevant by the adults. Thus, this study aims to break down the structure of Barbie as an American popular product in American discourses using Norman Fairclough’s theory of Critical Discourse Analysis. Using Barbie itself as the data taken from Barbie’s official Instagram account, this study applies qualitative methods. The result shows that in American discourses, Barbie is seen as the face of the American Dream and a reflection of Idealized American women. Through the depiction of Barbie’s appearance, the narration of Barbie’s abundant leisure activities, the description of Barbie’s lavish possessions, and their socialite peers, Barbie has symbolically served as an icon in the American Dream. Additionally, Barbie’s position in reflecting the image of American women is seen as the idealized epitome of beauty and success. However, she is also perceived as an icon who brings mixed messages. Even though she aims to promote female empowerment, her representation is also presumed to be problematic and unrealistic.

Perspectives of Cultural Studies (Conceptualisation of Emotions in the Discourse of Cultural Studies)

The aim of this article is to conceptualise emotions in the discourse of cultural studies, which were initiated in the 1970s. American discourse focuses on the role of emotions in shaping individuality and subjectivity (emotional labour), while European discourse focuses on their historically and culturally conditioned constructs. Even though they have been regarded in academic discourse as opposed to reason, today it is believed that emotions determine cognitive processes, and cognitive processes can have an effect on emotions.
 The article discusses theoretical concepts related to emotions: biological determinism/ biological reductionism, socio-cultural constructivism and deconstructionism, affective turn, and culture of emotions.

Beyond cannibalism

Abstract Commonly associated with the concept of cultural cannibalism, the artistic and critical legacy of Haroldo de Campos (1929–2003) has constituted a significant metaphor in translation studies. Despite growing interest that this concept has received in the European and North American discourse of the discipline, the idea of anthropophagy spreads unchecked, circulating freely and contributing to a vast array of analytical approaches. Given a noticeable lack of in-depth insights into the nature of de Campos’ theory, this process has resulted in a gradual loss of its original specificity. This article aims to provide an analysis of instances of the use of the cannibalistic metaphor in the English discourse of translation studies, to help understand the refractions detectable in the reception of de Campos’ concepts.

The Unseen Landscape of Abolitionism: Examining the Role of Digital Maps in Grassroots Organizing

Prison and police abolition has become a major political philosophy in North American discourse following the 2020 George Floyd protests. The philosophy remains divisive, and North American abolitionists seeking to coalition-build, provide resources for vulnerable populations and garner public support continue to experience challenges. We explore current usage of digital tools among abolitionists and the potential of a digital mapping tool to address these challenges. We conduct an interview study with 15 abolitionist organizations to understand activists' perspectives on the value of digital tools for organizing and a content analysis of 25 existing digital tools that convey abolitionist ideas to the public. Our findings together reveal (1) opportunities for digital mapping and HCI to support abolitionist activism and grassroots activism more broadly and (2) the challenges of digitally and spatially representing a movement that is intentionally grassroots, clandestine, and often involves organizers working in disparate locations.

Storks and Jars: Within the World of Surrogacy Narratives

By analyzing public accounts of the experiences of surrogates and intended parents, this article aims at identifying popular American discourses on surrogacy, which remains a contested assisted reproduction technology. Focusing on first-person narratives, I look at the strategies of rationalization employed by people entering commercial surrogacy contracts, particularly in relation to the monetary exchange. I argue that even though the ethics of financial compensation is not questioned in most narratives by surrogates and intended mothers, the normalizing discourse on American surrogacy requires the issue of money to be downplayed – instead surrogacy is presented as an altruistic “gift of life.”

American Discourses on China's Motivations for Naval Development under Xi Jinping

This article examines the security and defense discourse in the United States on China's ambitious naval development in the Asia‐Pacific region. American scholars and experts highlight four motivations for Chinese naval development: (1) the consolidation of China's territorial sovereignty; (2) the feasibility of A2/AD strategy; (3) the protection of China's overseas interests; and (4) leadership endorsement. Xi Jinping has increased the quality and quantity of China's naval capabilities and attempted to enhance his prestige by portraying himself as the driving force behind the development of China's powerful navy. Since then, the United States has not merely watched China's naval development but has considered China's navy a rival force. There are multiple ongoing debates regarding the purpose of China's naval development, including whether China aims to challenge US maritime supremacy. Some scholars are focused on China's territorial and strategic motivation, inferring the aim of posing a direct threat to US national security, but China posits that its purpose for naval development is not to confront US maritime hegemony. Some believe that the Chinese navy is not capable of doing so, and others explain that China is not aiming for a military crusade capable of causing a power transition, but rather focusing on the expansion of maritime interests.

“Useless” Sustainability: Chinese and American Discourses of Eco-Fashion and the Utilitarian Fantasy

“Useless” Sustainability: Chinese and American Discourses of Eco-Fashion and the Utilitarian Fantasy

A Second Cold War? Explaining Changes in the American Discourse on China: Evidence from the Presidential Debates (1960-2020).

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11366-023-09857-z.