Research On Chinese Character Image Design In International Chinese Textbooks From The Perspective Of National Image Construction

The national image serves as an external representation of a nation’s comprehensive power,engaging disciplines including,but not limited to,communication studies and international relations.Additionally,it has emerged as a central topic within the discourse of international propagation of the Chinese language and culture.One of the key facets of national image construction,the national character image,is chiefly conveyed via the portrayal of Chinese characters in international Chinese language textbooks.Thus,the investigation of the influence exerted by the portrayal of Chinese characters in contemporary international Chinese textbooks on the edification of the national image is of substantial scholarly interest.This study centres on the depiction of Chinese characters in international Chinese language textbooks,employing a comprehensive methodology that incorporates literature review,comparative analysis,and data statistical approaches.A diachronic and synchronic comparative analysis is conducted on the design of Chinese character images across four international Chinese language textbooks,encapsulating both the common and distinctive traits.Through the ensuing analysis,it is discerned that these four textbooks effectively orchestrate a comprehensive depiction of Chinese characters,crafting their positive images from multiple perspectives.The portrayal of Chinese character images fundamentally aligns with the prevailing social realities in China,thus making a positive contribution to the formation of China’s national image.Nevertheless,the portrayal of certain Chinese character images betrays an underemphasis on the impact of character image design on national image construction,such as outdated conceptualizations of characters and a need for enhancement in character representation.The study further scrutinizes the extant issues in the portrayal of Chinese characters in the four textbooks under consideration,advocating for textbook authors to allocate sufficient consideration to factors such as the number of Chinese characters,their frequency of appearance,gender distribution,aesthetic design,personality trait portrayal,and background design.Drawing upon the lens of national image construction,this study also proffers recommendations for the portrayal of Chinese character images in international Chinese language textbooks:(1)skillful utilization of cultural mediums to promote character depiction;(2)amplification of the presence of Chinese characters in cross-cultural communications;(3)bolstering the investment in multimodal textbook development;(4)enhancing the representation of characters from minority ethnicities in textbooks.