Communication Events Research Articles

Exploring culturally-preferred communication approaches for increased uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services in rural Malawi

BackgroundIn 2007 WHO and UNAIDS recommended communication interventions as a key strategy for creating demand for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) in Southern Africa. In Malawi, VMMC communication interventions, implemented by health communication agencies, have effectively raised awareness of services. However, high awareness of VMMC has not resulted in increased uptake. Consequently, Malawi has achieved the lowest number of circumcisions in Southern Africa.MethodsThese researchers carried out a study among the traditionally circumcising Yaos of Mangochi in Southern Region and the non-circumcising Chewas in Central Region. Data were collected using FGDs, KIIs, IDIs, Life Histories and Participatory Rural Appraisal methods. Data were analyzed thematically.ResultsThis study demonstrates two lessons. First, Laswell’s Theory, which has traditionally been used in politics, is relevant to the health sector where the message delivery continuum also needs to be clear on source, message, audience, channel and intended effects. Secondly, according to informants, allowing communities to give feedback to the VMMC messages delivered by health promoters is fundamental. Therefore, failure by Laswell Theory to emphasize on feedback compromises its efficacy. It weakens its ability to foster a common vision between the source and the audience which is prerequisite for behavioral change.ConclusionThe study concluded that community engagement and interpersonal communication which provide room for real-time feedback in any communicative event are the most preferred communication interventions for VMMC services among Yaos and Chewas.

Spatial multiomics map of trophoblast development in early pregnancy

The relationship between the human placenta—the extraembryonic organ made by the fetus, and the decidua—the mucosal layer of the uterus, is essential to nurture and protect the fetus during pregnancy. Extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs) derived from placental villi infiltrate the decidua, transforming the maternal arteries into high-conductance vessels1. Defects in trophoblast invasion and arterial transformation established during early pregnancy underlie common pregnancy disorders such as pre-eclampsia2. Here we have generated a spatially resolved multiomics single-cell atlas of the entire human maternal–fetal interface including the myometrium, which enables us to resolve the full trajectory of trophoblast differentiation. We have used this cellular map to infer the possible transcription factors mediating EVT invasion and show that they are preserved in in vitro models of EVT differentiation from primary trophoblast organoids3,4 and trophoblast stem cells5. We define the transcriptomes of the final cell states of trophoblast invasion: placental bed giant cells (fused multinucleated EVTs) and endovascular EVTs (which form plugs inside the maternal arteries). We predict the cell–cell communication events contributing to trophoblast invasion and placental bed giant cell formation, and model the dual role of interstitial EVTs and endovascular EVTs in mediating arterial transformation during early pregnancy. Together, our data provide a comprehensive analysis of postimplantation trophoblast differentiation that can be used to inform the design of experimental models of the human placenta in early pregnancy.

Language of Legitimization in Political Discourse on Kashmir Issue

This study concerns the discursive strategies used in political discourse to legitimize conflicting positions on the Kashmir issue, a major issue between Pakistan and India. More specifically, the study has attempted to address the question of legitimization strategies and their linguistic realizations feature in the Pakistani and the Indian Prime Minister’s speeches after the abrogation of Article 370 about the Kashmir issue. The data consists of the speeches the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered after the abrogation of Article 370 on Kashmir. The whole research has been framed under the scope of Critical Discourse Analysis, and the speeches have been analyzed in terms of Reyes’ (2011) strategies of legitimization, and Halliday’s (2014) Transitivity Model. The data analysis reveals that both prime ministers use the strategies of emotion, hypothetical future, rationality, the voice of expertise, and altruism to justify their respective positions and to attack their opponents. Yet, they differ in the linguistic realizations of these strategies mainly due to their different mental models of the communicative event rooted in their differing ideological perspectives. The findings establish the significance of language as an analytical tool that can help understand the nature of discursive practices underlying certain ideologies.

Low-Cost Technology-Aided Programs for Supporting People With Motor, Visual, and Intellectual Disabilities in Functional Forms of Occupation and Communication: Proof-of-Concept Study.

People with motor, visual, and intellectual disabilities may have serious problems in independently accessing various forms of functional daily occupation and communication. The study was aimed at developing and assessing new, low-cost technology-aided programs to help people with motor or visual-motor and intellectual disabilities independently engage in functional forms of occupation and communication with distant partners. Two programs were set up using a smartphone interfaced with a 2-switch device and a tablet interfaced with 2 pressure sensors, respectively. Single-subject research designs were used to assess (1) the first program with 2 participants who were blind, had moderate hand control, and were interested in communicating with distant partners through voice messages; and (2) the second program with 2 participants who possessed functional vision, had no or poor hand control, and were interested in communicating with their partners through video calls. Both programs also supported 2 forms of occupational engagement, that is, choosing and accessing preferred leisure events consisting of songs and music videos, and listening to brief stories about relevant daily topics and answering questions related to those stories. During the baseline phase (when only a conventional smartphone or tablet was available), 2 participants managed sporadic access to leisure or leisure and communication events. The other 2 participants did not show any independent leisure or communication engagement. During the intervention (when the technology-aided programs were used), all participants managed to independently engage in multiple leisure and communication events throughout the sessions and to listen to stories and answer story-related questions. The findings, which need to be interpreted with caution given the nature of the study and the small number of participants, seem to suggest that the new programs may be viable tools for helping people with motor or visual-motor and intellectual disabilities independently access leisure, communication, and other forms of functional engagement.

Gender Representation in the Arabic Dubbing Disney Animation: A Feminist Perspective

The study aims at understanding how the developments in gender representation are transferred linguistically into the Arabic dubbed versions of the films and recognizing the extent to which these translations may affect the discursive construction of gender in the dubbed films. In order to explore the changes in the representation of gender in the Arabic dubbed Disney films, the study focuses on answering the two main research questions: how is gender textually represented in the three selected Arabic dubbed films in comparison to their original animations? and how far is Disney's gender representation in the original films is discursively reflected in the Arabic dubbing? The study focuses on analysing three themes: gender roles, gender identity, and gender relations in the Arabic dubbing, produced by Masreya Media, of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Mulan (1998), and Frozen (2013). To answer the research questions, the study adopts the first two dimensions of Fairclough‘s (2013) Critical-Discourse-Analysis (CDA) three dimensional model, which perceives any communicative event consisting of three interconnected aspects: text, discursive practice, and social practice, as the methodological framework for the analysis. As for the first dimension, text, the study uses Van Leeuwen‘s (2008) socio-semantic Social Actors Inventory as a tool of analysis. For the second dimension, discursive practice, the study adopts Sunderland's (2004) four sets of gendered discourses. The findings involve differences in gender representation in some scenes in the dubbed versions of the three films, which have implications on the discursive representation of gender in the Arabic dubbing.

Gender Representation in the Arabic Dubbing Disney Animation: A Feminist Perspective

The study aims at understanding how the developments in gender representation are transferred linguistically into the Arabic dubbed versions of the films and recognizing the extent to which these translations may affect the discursive construction of gender in the dubbed films. In order to explore the changes in the representation of gender in the Arabic dubbed Disney films, the study focuses on answering the two main research questions: how is gender textually represented in the three selected Arabic dubbed films in comparison to their original animations? and how far is Disney's gender representation in the original films discursively reflected in the Arabic dubbing? The study focuses on analysing three themes: gender roles, gender identity, and gender relations in the Arabic dubbing, produced by Masreya Media, of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Mulan (1998), and Frozen (2013). To answer the research questions, the study adopts the first two dimensions of Fairclough‘s (2013) Critical-Discourse-Analysis (CDA) three dimensional model, which perceives any communicative event consisting of three interconnected aspects: text, discursive practice, and social practice, as the methodological framework for the analysis. As for the first dimension, text, the study uses Van Leeuwen‘s (2008) socio-semantic Social Actors Inventory as a tool of analysis. For the second dimension, discursive practice, the study adopts Sunderland's (2004) four sets of gendered discourses. The findings involve differences in gender representation in some scenes in the dubbed versions of the three films, which have an effect on the discursive representation of gender in the Arabic dubbing.

Comparative law outside the ivory tower: an interdisciplinary perspective

Abstract Whereas legal comparisons tend to be concerned with legal systems, structures or rules, this paper focuses on a more fundamental element of law: a legal concept. From the semiotic point of view, a concept is an element of the tripartite construct of meaning, which – in the legal context – is derived from a particular legal system. Since effective communication in legal practice is predicated on the unity of meaning, issues are likely to arise when an act of communication spans disparate legal cultures. When the epistemic embedding of legal concepts fundamentally differs between the respective legal systems with which the participants to a communicative event are familiar, conceptual incommensurability will arise, impeding the communication process and, potentially, also having an impact on associated court proceedings. Against this theoretical backdrop, the paper shifts its focus to globalised legal practice, which requires a broader legal skillset and comparative perspectives. As an illustration, the equivalence of selected substantive law concepts is explored across the common law/civil law divide, accurate comprehension of which is essential to intercultural provision of legal services. Drawing parallels between the functional method in comparative law and the functional approach recommended in legal translation, an overview is provided of techniques for remedying terminological incongruence and conveying intended meaning across legal cultures. The paper concludes by querying whether the law curriculum would be enhanced by inclusion of comparative and linguistic perspectives, with a view to equipping graduates with interdisciplinary tools for effective legal communication and global law practice.

Zinc: From Biological Functions to Therapeutic Potential.

The trace element zinc (Zn) displays a wide range of biological functions. Zn ions control intercellular communication and intracellular events that maintain normal physiological processes. These effects are achieved through the modulation of several Zn-dependent proteins, including transcription factors and enzymes of key cell signaling pathways, namely those involved in proliferation, apoptosis, and antioxidant defenses. Efficient homeostatic systems carefully regulate intracellular Zn concentrations. However, perturbed Zn homeostasis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic human diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, depression, Wilson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other age-related diseases. This review focuses on Zn's roles in cell proliferation, survival/death, and DNA repair mechanisms, outlines some biological Zn targets, and addresses the therapeutic potential of Zn supplementation in some human diseases.

An aeronautical data communication demand model for the North Atlantic oceanic airspace

Information exchange via aeronautical data communication is of increasing importance for the communication between pilots and air traffic control, providing the basis for surveillance of aircraft in oceanic or remote airspaces, as well as enabling the communication between an airlines’ fleet and its operational control. The aeronautical data communication that is being transmitted via data link encompasses, among others, surveillance-related aircraft position updates, clearances for flight path change requests, maintenance-related status reports, estimated arrival times and weather information in accordance with the required performance, that is set by technical standards. Aeronautical data communication events are driven by an aircraft’s flight phase, the current airspace or may occur in a randomized manner throughout the flight. As the usage of aeronautical data communication is expected to grow in future, ample data link technologies are being evaluated and developed. The usability and operational value of new data link technologies for aeronautical applications can be evaluated by applying suitable models of the respective data link communication pattern combined with operational simulations. Current models for aeronautical data communication demand support the design and evaluation of direct aircraft-to-ground communication networks. The geographical location of the data communication demand is secondary for these models, since coverage areas can be defined, where direct communication links are available. New data link technologies offer the opportunity of direct data transfer between aircraft and forwarding of messages from sending aircraft to a ground entity via ad-hoc communication networks between aircraft. This is of special interest for the North Atlantic oceanic airspace, an airspace with high traffic density and little ground infrastructure, where communication currently relies mostly on satellite-based systems. For these airborne ad-hoc networks the definition of coverage areas around ground or space-based entities is not possible. To assess the new data link technology a model for aeronautical data link communication demand is needed, that accounts for operationally derived communication events such as handover procedures at boundaries of oceanic control areas or status reports at route-specific waypoints, which cause an accumulation in certain geographical regions that pose a challenge to the dynamic connectivity coverage of aeronautical ad-hoc networks. Addressing this issue, we present a new modelling approach for air traffic service communication that considers the operational context of the simulated airspace and provides a geospatial data communication demand distribution, which is derived from air traffic management procedures, airspace geometries and events inherent to each flight path. The air traffic service communication is then validated based on 2019 air traffic and performance monitoring data provided by ICAO supplemented by an existing model for communication related to airline operational control. In a next step, the communication demand per area in the North Atlantic Oceanic airspace is being assessed. The aeronautical data traffic model shows deviations of less than one message per aircraft and airspace when compared to recorded data traffic from 2019 for two key services in the most frequented North Atlantic oceanic control areas. Therefore, it is assumed to be suitable for the evaluation of network-based data link technology and operational impact assessments.

Partitioning Communication Streams Into Graph Snapshots

We present EASEE (Edge Advertisements into Snapshots using Evolving Expectations) for partitioning streaming communication data into static graph snapshots. Given streaming communication events (A talks to B), EASEE identifies when events suffice for a static graph (a <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">snapshot</i> ). EASEE uses combinatorial statistical models to adaptively find when a snapshot is stable, while watching for significant data shifts – indicating a new snapshot should begin. If snapshots are not found carefully, they poorly represent the underlying data – and downstream graph analytics fail: We show a community detection example. We demonstrate EASEE's strengths against several real-world datasets, and its accuracy against known-answer synthetic datasets. Synthetic datasets' results show that (1) EASEE finds known-answer data shifts very quickly; and (2) ignoring these shifts drastically affects analytics on resulting snapshots. We show that previous work misses these shifts. Further, we evaluate EASEE against seven real-world datasets (330 K to 2.5B events), and find snapshot-over-time behaviors missed by previous works. Finally, we show that the resulting snapshots' measured properties (e.g., graph density) are altered by how snapshots are identified from the communication event stream. In particular, EASEE's snapshots do not generally “densify” over time, contradicting previous influential results that used simpler partitioning methods.

The whole truth? Hypothetical questions and the (de)construction of knowledge in expert witness cross-examination

This paper examines the relation between hypotheticals and epistemic stance in jury trials, and it reveals how hypothetically framed questions (HQs) are used in cross- examination to construct “the admissible truth” (Gutheil et al. 2003) which is then turned into evidence. It looks at a selection of interactional exchanges identified in the transcripts and video recordings which document two days of expert witness cross- examination in two high-profile criminal cases. In the study, two approaches to data analysis were combined: a bottom-up approach focusing on markers of HQs offering “points of entry” into discourse through a corpus-assisted analysis and a top-down approach looking at cross-examination as a complex communicative event, providing a more holistic view of the interactional context in which HQs are used. The paper explains the role which such questions play in the positioning of opposing knowledge claims, as well as discusses the effect they create in hostile interaction with expert witnesses. As is revealed, HQs are used to elicit the witness’s assessments of alternative scenarios of past events and causal links involving the facts of the case; to elicit the witness’s assessments of general hypothetical scenarios not involving the facts of the case, or to undermine the validity of the witness’s method of analysis. In sum, the paper explains how the use of HQs aids cross-examining attorneys in deconstructing unfavourable testimony and constructing the “legal truth” which supports their narrative.

Literasi Digital Untuk Melindungi Masyarakat Dari Kejahatan Siber

The digital transformation process uncovers evil. Migration from a manual pattern to an online-based system is only a condition that forces people to enter this service system. Without preparation and complete information, suddenly people are brought into a completely different atmosphere from the period they have experienced so far. Forced compulsion finally colored the journey to this new era coded 0 and 1. &#x0D; Various communication events, especially with regard to digital crime cases, one of which occurred by taking advantage of public ignorance. If this new era is considered a necessity, total preparation is needed. Not on the issue of infrastructure, but also mental spiritual and knowledge of the community. Responding to this problem, this research was conducted with the aim of knowing cyber crime in an atmosphere of a digitally illiterate society. Using a qualitative descriptive method, observed data sources from online media are analyzed to find clear relationships that cause the emergence of cybercrime. &#x0D; The results of the research show that people's lack of understanding of digital systems allows many victims to fall and fall into the traps set up by criminals. Therefore digital literacy activities must be carried out massively so that knowledge about digitalization does not trap victims. Digital literacy activities must be promoted as much as possible to touch all levels of society. This activity can be initiated by the government, private bodies, or community organizations.

Destination Branding Process of Bengkalis Regency as a Cultural Tourism Destination by the Board of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sport

The existence of tourism development policies that are not supported by integrated communication activities makes tourism problems in Bengkalis Regency increasingly complex. Disparbudpora has made Bengkalis Regency a cultural tourism destination through destination branding. This study aims to determine the destination branding process for Bengkalis Regency by the Board of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports (Disparbudpora) as a cultural tourism destination. The research method used is qualitative with a descriptive case study approach. The results of this study indicate that Disparbudpora of Bengkalis Regency introduces cultural tourism destinations by carrying out 5 stages of destination branding. The first stage is market investigation, analysis and strategic recommendation, namely by collecting secondary data, field surveys and data analysis. The two stages of Brand identity development, using the Sembayung logo and the tagline Bengkalis diversity of culture. The three stages of brand launch and introduction are carried out through digital communication and special events which are held annually. The four brand implementations are carried out in accordance with the program set in RIPPARDA 2021-2035. Fifth, Brand monitoring, evaluation and review is carried out directly, through the UPT Tourism and destination managers and Evaluation, a review that discusses the data that has been collected regarding the deficiencies and advantages of destinations.

The Relationship between Structure of Discourse and Structure of Ideology A Socio-Cognitive Perspective

Whereas theoretical and political thought on the existence of ideologies has a long history, fewer focus has been given to their exact nature, socio-cognitive frameworks, discursive replication, and ideological discourse. This article investigates the relation between the structure of discourse and structure of ideology from the socio-cognitive perspective, adopting van Dijk’s (2006, 2008, and 2009) 'sociocognitive' approach. Moreover, ideologies are Ideologies pertain to the concepts and convictions of a group of individuals and the mental character and the psychological studies of ideologies are rare, the aim is to reveal how such cognitive phenomena are interconnected with discourse structures, verbal engagement, communication events and contexts, as well as society structures like dominance and social inequity. In order to understand the structures of discourse and to examine the nature and functions of ideologies in society, the structure of beliefs should be involved in the same way because they interact and subsequently are mutually related into systems. Ideologies' mental characteristics, including their nature as concepts or beliefs their relationship with views and knowledge, and their position as socially shared interpretations, will be discussed. Discourse structures and social structures are of distinct kinds, and the only way to connect them is through language users' mental representations of themselves as individuals and social members

Identitas Jawara Banten Tak Lekang Dimakan Zaman di Era Globalisasi dan Modernisasi ( Studi Kasus Jawara di Desa Terumbu, Kec. Kasemen Kota Serang )

One of the timeless cultural heritages is the designation of the word jawara. The purpose of study is to analyze the context of a champion in the era of globalization and modernization whose existence is still recognized, mainly related to someone who has martial arts skill or is also called a martial arts expert. Interaction theory by Pierre Felix Bourdiou is used in this study and interprets the term champion to describe martial arts experts either to protect themselves or to defend the weak as a result of oppression by the authorities. Qualitative description is a tool for analyzing this research either from the direct recognition of the winner in the currentsituation or the events and actions of the champion in the past. Using several analyzes, namely interviews with several martial arts figures, description of whereabouts and the image of the current champion. The existence of a champion in the midst of society communication events and communication actions. This study concludes that the existence of the jawara was formed when the sultanace of banten was founded which continued until the dutch colonial era, the dutch even labeled the jawara as a bandit who disrupted security and was labeled negatively because he was synonymous with acts of violence and deviated from dutch colonial law. The term jawara is a cultural subculture of the Indonesia nation and is a means of communicating nasional identity

Ethics of access in contemporary applied linguistics projects

Increasingly, contemporary research practice is taking place in complex, multi-agency projects with funding from various public agencies and high demands for social relevance. The researcher–practitioner relationship, especially between researchers and stakeholders, plays a vital role in these kinds of projects, representing new challenges for many researchers. Within this field, issues relating to research ethics gain importance beyond established guidelines and institutional regulations. The aim of this paper is to contribute to a methodological debate on research ethics, highlighting the complex communicative practices that constitute the micro-ethics of the early stages of research, in which access to research sites and empirical data is at stake. We discuss three such activities in a project studying professional practice in welfare: (1) joint problematization of key issues; (2) negotiation of the research topic with multiple stakeholders; and (3) collaborative response to emerging ethical dilemmas. By opening up the often-neglected micro-ethical practices of research, we discuss how reflexivity and critical engagement might support the researcher’s ethical practices in complex project surroundings. By fostering increased awareness of ethically important moments in the early stages of the research process, researchers might be better prepared to negotiate the many communicative events that form an integral part of the practices of research ethics.

ANALISIS STRATEGI KOMUNIKASI MARKETING PT. QUIPPER DALAM INDUSTRI E-LEARNING SEBELUM DAN DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19

This research aims to analyze the marketing communication strategy of PT. Quipper, a company in the e-learning industry, before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The qualitative study found that the company initially implemented a Direct Marketing model and received positive market response, leading to expansion in 2016 by opening branch offices in 12 cities. PT. Quipper also developed a strategy using five models in the Marketing communication mix, including advertising, sales promotion, events and experiences, publicity, and personal marketing. However, the company faced competition from other companies providing material things to schools and had difficulty transitioning to online marketing during the pandemic.

What do second language speakers really need for real-world interaction? A needs analysis of L2 Chinese interactional competence

A primary undertaking in communicative language teaching is to ensure second language (L2) speakers develop the ability to interact in real-world communicative events, a skill known as interactional competence (IC). Thus far, there have been few needs analysis studies conducted on L2 IC, posing challenges when ascertaining whether the teaching and testing of L2 IC are empirically grounded. Henceforth, the researcher carried out a needs analysis to systematically investigate the IC learning needs of speakers of L2 Chinese, which in itself represents an under-investigated target language in present-day needs analysis literature. A considered methodology was utilized to elicit triangulated information from 18 participants. Content analysis of the elicited data identified seven IC learning categories: (1) social actions, (2) sociopragmatic knowledge, (3) pragmalinguistic knowledge, (4) interactional structure, (5) content knowledge, (6) linguistic resources, and (7) nonverbal resources. Results revealed disaffiliative social actions (e.g. complaining) to be most challenging. The management of social actions was mediated by speakers’ sociopragmatic knowledge (e.g. social distance) and pragmalinguistic knowledge (e.g. formality devices). Other learning categories such as interactional structure (e.g. topic development) and nonverbal resources (e.g. gaze) contributed to successful interaction at a more foundational level. Based on these findings, this article proposes a three-tier IC needs model to conceptualize the hierarchical interrelationships among the seven categories. In addition, the researcher generated lists of IC learning needs for each category and subcategory to assist language educators with developing targeted IC teaching and assessment tasks. The IC needs model and needs lists constitute a pedagogical toolkit for the systematic incorporation of IC in task-based language teaching, language curricula and language programs. This article also discusses how methodological considerations and innovations formulated in the study can contribute to needs analysis research in general.

Impact of sleep deficiency on surgical performance: a prospective assessment.

Sleep deficiency can adversely affect the performance of resident physicians, resulting in greater medical errors. However, the impact of sleep deficiency on surgical outcomes, particularly among attending surgeons, is less clear. Sixty attending surgeons from academic and community departments of surgery or obstetrics and gynecology were studied prospectively using direct observation and self-report to explore the effect of sleep deprivation on patient safety, operating room communication, medical errors, and adverse events while operating under 2 conditions, post-call (defined as > 2 hours of nighttime clinical duties) and non-post-call. Each surgeon contributed up to 5 surgical procedures post-call and non-post-call, yielding 362 cases total (150 post-call and 210 non-post-call). Most common were caesarian section and herniorrhaphy. Hours of sleep on the night before the operative procedure were significantly less post-call (4.98 ± 1.41) vs non-post-call (6.68 ± 0.88, P < .01). Errors were infrequent and not related to hours of sleep or post-call status. However, Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons ratings demonstrated poorer performance while post-call for situational awareness, decision-making, and communication/teamwork. Fewer hours of sleep also were related to lower ratings for situational awareness and decision-making. Decreased self-reported alertness was observed to be associated with increased procedure time. Sleep deficiency in attending surgeons was not associated with greater errors during procedures performed during the next day. However, procedure time was increased, suggesting that surgeons were able to compensate for sleep loss by working more slowly. Ratings on nontechnical surgical skills were adversely affected by sleep deficiency. Quan SF, Landrigan CP, Barger LK, etal. Impact of sleep deficiency on surgical performance: a prospective assessment. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(4):673-683.

Understanding Chinese international students in the U.S. in Times of the COVID-19 crisis: from a Chinese discourse studies perspective

ABSTRACT Using the Chinese Discourse Studies (CNDS) as a theoretical framework, this study seeks to challenge the cultural essentialism and uncritical roots of existing literature, with an aim to expose long-standing patterns of Western totalizing discourse in the field of international education research. This exploratory article explores how Chinese international students as cultural agents respond to the global pandemic and pandemic-related stereotypes. Through a critical analysis of 21 Chinese students’ narratives, this article identifies three culturally specific characteristics that pervade Chinese normative dialogues: (1) Chinese dialectics, (2) Chinese harmony, and (3) Chinese self-criticism. They are often employed to emphasize Chinese optimistic attitudes in times of crisis, avoidance of confrontation for harmonious communication, and moral character of self-introspection to conform to the social norm. This article offers new empirical evidence for the reconstruction of the Chinese paradigm of discourse studies and reveals the inappropriateness of Western scholarship for understanding non-Western linguistic and communicative events and practices. In sum, this article demonstrates that Chinese discourse studies can be a potential decolonial option to depart from deep-seated scholarship in Western intellectual supremacy and a visionary framework to advance multicultural discourses about international education against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and anti-Asian racism.