Language Of Conflict: A Corpus-Based Study Of Semantic Prosody In Print Media Discourse On The Russia-Ukraine War

Abstract

This research paper offers corpus-based critical discourse analysis of semantic prosody in print media discourse on the Russia-Ukraine war. The ongoing war in Ukraine has garnered significant global media attention, including Print media of many countries. However, there is a gap in linguistic research exploring how English newspapers from different countries portray the Ukraine crisis. Understanding how language constructs meaning and shapes public opinion is essential, and this can be achieved by analyzing the lexical choices and co-textual patterns in these portrayals. This study aims to conduct a corpus-driven analysis of the semantic prosody employed by English newspapers in their portrayal of the Russia-Ukraine war. By examining lexical choices and co-textual patterns, the research seeks to uncover how these elements convey subjective opinions and contribute to the wider media discourse surrounding the conflict. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze the language used in the selected newspapers to depict the conflict. Using corpus tool AntConc three separate corpora were collected from six newspapers in the USA, Russia, and Pakistan. The data spans from February 24, 2022, to February 24, 2023, with a focus on opinion pieces, editorials, and news stories. The study employs Baker's (2006) corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis framework. The study reveals distinct semantic prosodies in how newspapers from each country depict key terms related to the conflict. American newspapers predominantly frame Russia's actions as violations of international norms, while Russian media adopts a defensive stance. Pakistani newspapers present a more neutral perspective. Terms such as "Ukraine," "NATO," "invasion," and "sanctions" are framed differently across the countries, reflecting their respective stances on the conflict. This research underscores the critical role of language in shaping national narratives and public perceptions of the Russia-Ukraine war. The findings highlight the importance of media literacy in understanding geopolitical conflicts. Further research is encouraged to examine how linguistic representations in the media influence public opinion and policy