| English-language newspaper in China is becoming indispensable to take up the mission of transmitting the voice of China. But research on English-language newspaper has not been explored sufficiently. The present research is derived from the author's keen interest in English-language newspaper in China. And the author hopes to arouse people's concern and interest on it in a large scope.The author analyzes English-language newspaper in China from four aspects: the status of it, the news story, the news comment and the layout design.1. The status of English-language newspaper in ChinaEnglish-language newspaper in China is researched as news media in this paper, therefore there is no need to introduce more details about the educational English-language newspaper. And English-language newspaper in China can be divided into two types: national English-language newspaper and local English-language newspaper.1.1 The status of national English-language newspaper in ChinaChina Daily is the only national English-language newspaper in China. The most important target audiences of it are the foreigners in China and overseas, for the reason that it's four principles are to inform, explain and entertain. China Daily also cooperates with foreign media and experts in a wide range.1.2 The status of local English-language newspaper in China The local English-language newspaper in China can be investigated in three aspects, the audience, the distribution, and the issuing way. Firstly, the foreigners in China are the most important target audiences of local English-language newspaper. Secondly, the distribution of local English-language newspaper is extremely imbalanced, that majority of them concentrate in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong areas. Thirdly, the issuing way of local English-language newspaper is various, such as depending on distributors, achieving network circulation and delivering or presenting. 2. The news story of English-language newspaper in ChinaIn the second part, the author considers the news story of English-language newspaper in China in two aspects. First of all, the author explores the news story as discourse. And then, the author probes the prototypes and stereotypes in news story.2.1 Exploring the news story of English-language newspaper as discourse News source is the authentic discourse subject of English-language newspaper in China. And the differences between Chinese culture and Western culture affect the news story.2.1.1 The discourse subject of English-language newspaper in China The news story is required for being objective and fair, which is the reason why there is plenty of quotes in it. And in order to delivery information immediately, the majority of English-language newspapers in China often adopt the reports from foreign news agencies directly. Therefore the quotes and the reports from foreign news agencies are the discourse subject of news story.Moreover, newspapers have to cooperate with news resource to obtain information effectively, so as to maximize the economic benefit. Therefore, the information obtained from news source becomes the discourse subject of English-language newspaper in China.The last but not the least, the reporters'dependence on news source determines that news source is the authentic discourse subject of English-language newspaper in China. As we know, in the cross-cultural communication, reporters usually feel uncertain about their report because of the cultural differences. Although they witness what happened, they still believe what the news source said.2.1.2 Cultural factor in discourse generationFirstly, it affects the mode of expression in news story. The audiences always look forward to obtain information which is compatible with their original cultural pattern. Therefore, reporters should adopt the mode of transmission that is in accordance with the audiences'custom. Secondly, it affects the content. The core of deep national spirit of China is harmony between man and nature, that's why there's seldom bad news in English-language newspaper in China. Meanwhile a large proportion of the news story in the Western English-language newspaper is negative reports. It's because that in Western Culture, people believe human being should struggles with his environment.2.2 The prototypes and stereotypes in news story of English-language newspaper in ChinaThere are a number of prototypes and stereotypes in news story of English-language newspaper in China.2.2.1 The prototypes in news story of English-language newspaper in China Collective unconsciousness is the super-individual psychological foundation of a race and humanity. Prototypes are the external manifestations of the collective unconsciousness. And as we know, it is very difficult to reach a consensus on cognition by the two sides in intercultural communication. Therefore, the common human emotion should be the best breakthrough and the prototypes should be used justifiably in news story in English-language newspaper in China so as to break cultural boundaries.2.2.2 The affirmative stereotypes in news story of English-language newspaper in ChinaThe formation of stereotypes, although there are some cross-cultural consistency, but it rather follow the self-esteem theory. That's the reason why groups always hold negative stereotypes of other groups. But, there are many stereotypes about other countries which are affirmative in English-language newspaper in China. What is the reason?Firstly, the affirmative stereotypes come from the framework of news reporting.The reporters who work in English-language newspaper of China always adopt the structure of news reporting which is conformable with what English-language newspaper of America and Europe use for persuasive effect. The framework of news reporting is repeated constantly, and also the stereotypes in it which originate from one or two newspapers are duplicated massively.Secondly, the affirmative stereotypes comply with western countries'established norms of discourse, which is the reason why they are retained in cross-culture communication.Thirdly, the affirmative stereotypes exist in English language. As we know, the relationship between language and thinking is close. Therefore, the stereotypes are shown unconsciously when the reporters of English-language newspaper in China use English to write stories.3. The news comment of English-language newspaper in China In the third part, the author considers the news comment of English-language newspaper in China in two aspects. First of all, the author explores the news comment based on Western ethics. And then, the author analyzes the news comment form structural point of view.3.1 Research in news comment of English-language news paper in China based on Western ethicsThe author adopts Western ethics to analyze the news comment of English-language newspaper in China.3.1.1 The reasons for adopting Western ethics to analyze the news comment Firstly, writing characteristics of the news comment of English-language newspaper in China are compatible with the features of salvation type in Western ethics. The salvation type in Western ethics puts emphasis on narrating from the view of civilians which always uses the expression of"we". And in China, more and more commentators of English-language newspaper take the expression of"we"in order to shorten the distance with the audience and develop a close rapport with them.Secondly, in the news comment of English-language newspaper in China, the attitude to people is the same with the attitude that salvation type in Western ethics adopted. As we know, in the news comment of Chinese-language newspaper, the commentators are used to taking a superior attitude. The salvation type in Western ethics puts emphasis on respect for populace. And in China, more and more commentators of English-language newspaper accept this point of view. They communicate with the audience taking the attitude of equality, which is different form Chinese-language news comment.Thirdly, both the news comment of English-language newspaper in China and salvation type in Western ethics concerns the same subject. Both of them are concerned about the livelihood of the people. Moreover, they all attempt to direct people that how to deal with sorts of problem in their lives.3.1.2 Using the basic spirit of Western ethics to improve the level of news comment writingIn the author's opinion, the commentators of English-language newspaper in China could take the advantage of the basic spirit of Western ethics to improve the level of news comment writing.Firstly, the commentators should avoid direct conflict between individualism and collectivism. Secondly, the commentators could express their opinions relating to the rights of people. Thirdly, the commentators could express their opinions in the happy and relaxed atmosphere. Fourthly, the commentators should promote the cultural exchange between different countries with the ideas of pluralism in the mind.3.2 Research in news comment of English-language newspaper in China form structural point of viewThe writing structures of English news comment which are usually adopted in English-language newspaper in China fall into 5 types: the"three-step"structure, the"four-step"structure, the"radiation structure", the"inverted structure"and the"logical progression"structure.Firstly, according to"the probability of selection"formula, commentators could increase the added value of news in order to improve the readability of the news comment. Secondly, according to"primacy-recency effect", the"three-step"structure is the most effective one to persuade the audiences. The last but not the least, as what the"double message theory"said, the commentators could add the background information about two sides in the second part of the"four-step"structure, so as to obtain"non-subjective expression"effect.4. The layout design of English-language newspaper in ChinaIn the fourth part, the author considers the layout design of English-language newspaper in China in three aspects.4.1 The characteristics of the elements applied in newspapers'layout design Firstly, the single-title is usually used in the English-language newspaper in China; and"journalistic present tense"is adopted widely, and so do the midget words, acronyms and abbreviations. Moreover, the body is often extended into a horizontal direction when it is too long.Secondly, news photos are widely used in English-language newspaper in China. And the majority of them are concerned with human being. At the same time, the icons are also used in innovative vision.4.2 The intelligible characteristics of English-language newspaper in China Picture and color is used effectively to enhance the significance of the important content. Furthermore, the modular format is adopted to increase the accessibility of the news. At the same time, the modular format makes it easier for people to pull the information which they are interested in.4.3 The characteristics of layout styleWith global perspective, the layout style of English-language newspaper can be attributed to the British style and American style. And most of English-language newspapers in China adopt British style. However, because of the differences in geographical conditions and custom, the layout style of English-language newspaper in China can be summarized under three main categories, the Beijing style, Shanghai style and Guangdong style. The Beijing style puts emphasis on solemnity; the Shanghai style prefers to elegance; and the Guangdong style is in it's pursuit of visual impact.To sum up, English-language newspaper in China is analyzed from four points of view in this paper: the status of English-language newspaper in China, the news story of English-language newspaper in China, the news comment of English-language newspaper in China and the layout design of English-language newspaper in China. |
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