A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Chinese And American News Reports On The Issue Of RMB Appreciation

Based on the framework of Critical Discourse Analysis and by adopting the analytical devices that are based on Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar, the present study aims to examine the dialectical relationship between language and ideology by analyzing the news reports concerning about RMB appreciation taken from the authentic newspapers from the perspective of CDA. Backed by certain social context of the public discourses and through a detailed analysis of the linguistic structures of the public discourses, this study seeks to reveal the ideology that is embedded in the selected news reports.In general, as attention is mainly concentrated on the analysis of political discourses from the perspective of CDA, few scholars have applied this methodology to the economic sphere. More specifically, explicit analysis of economic issues is fairly rare compared with that of political discourses. By employing the analytical devices of CDA, such as transitivity, lexical classification, modality, and intertextuality that are based on the three metafunctions of language proposed in Systemic Functional Grammar, the author attempted to make an analysis of eleven economic news reports which are concerned with the same economic issue- RMB appreciation from different newspapers. This study validates the viewpoint of former critical studies that news is not unbiased and objective as it seems to be and that the naturalized ideological assumptions and implications are concealed under the seemingly neutral lexical and structural patterns. Although the language of economic news is always claimed to be objective and impartial, it still is ideology oriented. Again, this study confirms the Kress'definition that language is a type of social practice used for representation and signification. It is, therefore, inevitably influenced by the ideologies of the people. Moreover, language, in turn will definitely exert influence on the formation and reinforcement of the ideologies.Through the comparative analysis, it is found that Chinese reporters positively construct a rational and responsible image of China. They endeavor to highlight China's independent stance on the revaluation of China's currency. On the contrary, the U.S. reporters reinforce the misconception of RMB as artificially undervalued and China is designated as a currency manipulator. On this account, they rationalize the U.S's demand for a significant, sustained and prompt RMB appreciation.The theoretical implication of the present study is to expand the application of CDA, i.e. to provide a means for the analysis of the economic discourses. More specifically, to see how it is employed by authority or powerful groups to reinforce dominant ideologies. Furthermore, its practical implication is to advocate raising students'critical awareness and sensitivity in English learning. Besides, it will provide effective enlightenment for media practitioners and domestic decision-makers in presenting and conveying their own attitudes and stances. This study is also of practical significance in helping us combine social, economic, cultural elements in dealing with new phenomena and new issues. Finally, hopefully, this study may enhance a mutual understanding between the Chinese and American people.