The60Years Images Of China In Time Magazine

This paper chooses40China-related cover stories in Time magazine during theperiod of1949-2009as research data, combining the corpus linguistics study methodwith Systemic Functional Grammar theory, from the perceptive of ideational function,interpersonal function and textual function, lexical features like attitude lexis modifiersof common high frequency words, high frequency modal verbs, verbal process, rhetoricalmetaphors are analyzed through searching of the top10common high frequency wordsand their collocation lines. The shaping methods in Time magazine are discussed toexpose the image building in positive and negative percentage, fairness degree andreporting strategy so as to disclose the ideology embodied in the these cover stories.With the combination of the quantitative and qualitative method, this paper focuseson the reporting methods and strategies. From the findings of lexical level, the negativeattitude lexis is usually higher than the positive one during the first and second periods,further proving the journalism scholars' previous conclusion—"Demonization"image-building method at the beginning of the establishment of New China, but this kindof image building is changed with the rising of China's international status since1972,especially during the third period when the positive attitude lexis is higer than thenegative one. In reporting strategy, the vague Sayers is used to strengthen andpropagandize the reporter's opinion; the middle and low value modal verbs are used toexpress the suspicious and contradictory attitude toward China. Besides, the shapingmethods of China's image vary in different historical period because of the differencebetween America and China in national interests and the Sino-U.S. relationship. Theinfluential factors of China's image are reporter's ideology, news value, culture andworld view. China's image in Time is by no means fair and objective. Therefore, assecond language learners, we should improve our critical reading ability and correctlydeal with the western media reports on China.