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Corpus-based Critical Discourse Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Western Media Reports

Author(s)

Cheng Yuan

Affiliation(s)

Faculty of Modern Language and Communication, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.

Abstract

This study explores the perceptions and attitudes of Western media towards Traditional Chinese Medicine generally based on Model of Extended Units of Meaning, and examines the focus of each of the five Western media based on thematic terms. Study findings indicate that: (1) Although the western media discourse as a whole constructs the image of "traditional Chinese medicine" as having been tried, accepted, and "relatively safe and effective" in treatment, it still holds a preference toward Western medical science; (2) The media reports of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) during the epidemic was politically biased, although there was a wide range of coverage across countries, with a consistent focus on the ecological impact of TCM. In addition, this study reveals some of the challenges facing the internationalization of TCM, which may provide insights for the future targeted and strategic promotion of the international dissemination of TCM culture.

Keywords

Corpus; Western Media; Traditional Chinese Medicine; Critical Discourse Analysis

References

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