A Corpus-based Study of China’s Image in Singapore’s Diplomatic Discourse

doi:10.12002/j.bisu.540

Abstract

Abstract:

Utilising the three-dimensional discourse analysis model of Fairclough (1992), this paper focuses on a corpus-based examination of the linguistic characteristics of Singapore’s diplomatic discourse and an analysis of the depiction of China via the collocations and concordances of the word “China”. The results of critical discourse analysis revealed that China is perceived politically as a responsible major nation that exerts a positive influence on international and regional affairs. Economically, it is a close and amicable partner to Singapore, boasting a robust economy with a vast market and a favourable business environment and, as a nation, while it is encountering developmental challenges, it has the confidence to overcome them. Furthermore, China’s image is influenced by Singapore’s diplomatic strategies, its interest demands, and its Eastern values. This study highlights the importance of discourse in image construction and provides academic support for the promotion of China’s image.

Keywords: diplomatic discourse; critical discourse analysis; three-dimensional analysis model; corpus; China’s image

摘要：

本文借助Fairclough的三维分析模型，以China一词的搭配和索引行分析为切入点，对新加坡外交话语的语言特征及其所建构的中国形象进行了考察，并剖析了这种建构背后的社会文化动因。研究发现，新加坡外交话语中的中国形象主要表现为：在政治层面，中国是具有重要影响力的负责任大国，在国际事务和区域发展中发挥积极作用；在经济层面，中国是蓬勃发展、市场广阔、经商环境良好的经济强国，是与新加坡密切合作的友好伙伴；在国家精神层面，当面临发展挑战时，中国富有进取精神，不畏艰难，砥砺前行。新加坡的外交策略、利益诉求以及东方价值观对其外交话语中的中国形象建构产生了影响。本研究揭示了话语在国家形象建构中的作用，希望可以为中国形象的对外传播提供学术支撑。

关键词: 外交话语, 批评话语分析, 三维分析模型, 语料库, 中国形象

CLC Number:

H315

Yan Tong. A Corpus-based Study of China’s Image in Singapore’s Diplomatic Discourse[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2024, 46(5): 27-44.

闫潼. 基于语料库的新加坡外交话语中的中国形象研究[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2024, 46(5): 27-44.

Figures/Tables 8

References 30

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序号	高频搭配名词	频次	MI值	序号	高频搭配名词	频次	MI值
1	Singapore	256	4.25	22	Chinese	22	3.88
2	ASEAN	173	5.93	23	Party	22	5.49
3	US	148	4.78	24	ties	19	4.98
4	India	148	7.15	25	development	19	3.63
5	sea	115	8.15	26	communist	19	7.45
6	relation	101	6.50	27	dialogue	19	6.06
7	Japan	80	6.97	28	economy	19	3.36
8	countries	69	4.45	29	Beijing	18	7.15
9	business	68	5.48	30	anniversary	18	4.67
10	republic	68	7.26	31	companies	18	3.19
11	Asia	64	4.87	32	partnership	17	4.61
12	trade	60	5.02	33	forum	17	5.67
13	cooperation	48	5.12	34	Chongqing	17	6.73
14	America	42	6.29	35	summit	17	4.93
15	relationship	42	6.13	36	partners	17	4.73
16	world	40	3.53	37	States	16	4.95
17	Korea	35	6.97	38	Europe	16	5.28
18	region	34	4.69	39	leadership	15	4.53
19	year	29	3.07	40	growth	15	3.35
20	partner	27	6.36	41	economies	15	4.76
21	Australia	23	5.73	42	disputes	15	6.82

序号	高频搭配名词	频次	MI值	序号	高频搭配名词	频次	MI值
1	Singapore	256	4.25	22	Chinese	22	3.88
2	ASEAN	173	5.93	23	Party	22	5.49
3	US	148	4.78	24	ties	19	4.98
4	India	148	7.15	25	development	19	3.63
5	sea	115	8.15	26	communist	19	7.45
6	relation	101	6.50	27	dialogue	19	6.06
7	Japan	80	6.97	28	economy	19	3.36
8	countries	69	4.45	29	Beijing	18	7.15
9	business	68	5.48	30	anniversary	18	4.67
10	republic	68	7.26	31	companies	18	3.19
11	Asia	64	4.87	32	partnership	17	4.61
12	trade	60	5.02	33	forum	17	5.67
13	cooperation	48	5.12	34	Chongqing	17	6.73
14	America	42	6.29	35	summit	17	4.93
15	relationship	42	6.13	36	partners	17	4.73
16	world	40	3.53	37	States	16	4.95
17	Korea	35	6.97	38	Europe	16	5.28
18	region	34	4.69	39	leadership	15	4.53
19	year	29	3.07	40	growth	15	3.35
20	partner	27	6.36	41	economies	15	4.76
21	Australia	23	5.73	42	disputes	15	6.82

序号	索引行
1	engage major countries like the US, China, India and Japan, to pursue mutual cooperation
2	The key players will still be the US, China and Japan
3	with the six major powers, beginning with India, the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and the European Union
4	Besides the US, China will also play a vital role in the region
5	relations between big powers, particularly between America and China
6	How the US-China relationship evolves will shape the world order
7	If America-China relations become very difficult
8	Economic competition between China and the US is both inevitable
9	so-called trade war between the US and China
10	the recent trade frictions between the US and China

序号	索引行
1	engage major countries like the US, China, India and Japan, to pursue mutual cooperation
2	The key players will still be the US, China and Japan
3	with the six major powers, beginning with India, the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and the European Union
4	Besides the US, China will also play a vital role in the region
5	relations between big powers, particularly between America and China
6	How the US-China relationship evolves will shape the world order
7	If America-China relations become very difficult
8	Economic competition between China and the US is both inevitable
9	so-called trade war between the US and China
10	the recent trade frictions between the US and China

序号	索引行
1	With its large and growing economy, China has an important stake
2	China, a dynamic economy, and its workforce
3	the most vibrant economies in the world — China, India — they too have seen
4	India is still not as vibrant or as big as China is as an economy
5	we have all kinds of business projects all over China
6	while many companies see China as a key export market and manufacturing base
7	Many Singapore companies are operating in China, in cities all over the country
8	Our companies are bullish about China
9	Companies everywhere eye the huge China market, hoping to sell everything