A Comparative Analysis of Chinese and American Cartoons on COVID-19 and Their Cultural Motivations from Perspective of Cross-culture

A Comparative Analysis of Chinese and American Cartoons on COVID-19 and Their Cultural Motivations from Perspective of Cross-culture

Authors

  • Xiaoqi Weng Foreign Languages College, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53469/jsshl.2024.07(01).10

Keywords:

News cartoons, Cultural differences, Conceptual blending, Frame

Abstract

This study selects 120 political cartoons on COVID-19 from China News Cartoon Network and US News Network as data. Through quantitative, qualitative and comparative analysis and based on the Conceptual Blending Theory and Frame Theory, the online processing of meaning and frame types of these cartoons will be identified, classified and analyzed, which aims to explore the two countries different attitudes and practices in the face of the same public health events, and to reveal the cultural motivations behind the differences. The study shows that, influenced by collectivism and individualism, power distance and short-term and long-term orientation, Chinese cartoons mostly use collective elements to build responsibility frame, showing that Chinese citizens’ enthusiastic cooperation, medical staff’s selfless dedication and China's sense of responsibility for the international community. Moreover, its human interest frame solely shows bad social phenomena such as jacking up price and rumors; American cartoons mostly use conflict and human interest frame to convey that American citizens pay more attention to their own interest loss, criticizing the American government and demanding the restart of the American economy.

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Published

2024-02-29
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