Ideologies in Making: CDA of Emerging Narratives in the Background of CPEC

Abstract

Language helps us to retain our culture and identity amongst the societies in the world. It gives us a unique and specific ideological platform on which people represent themselves. The basic aim of this research is to study the language used in articles written regarding an under-construction project named CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) with financial aid of Chinese government in between Pakistan and China for economic and strategic purposes. The focus of this research remains on the development of different ideologies with regards to the CPEC project either in favour or in opposition to it. Sample for this research is collected from secondary sources, specifically from English language newspapers which are published daily in Pakistan. For this purpose, four articles were selected from two different English language newspapers and analyzed through CDA (Critical Discourse Analysis). Fairclough’s three-dimensional approach is being used to analyze the text. Micro and Macro levels of analysis were used- Micro level for textual analysis and Macro level to check its discourse, genre and style. CDA helps to reflect the relationship amongst the language and society. CDA evaluates its specific discourse, and relationship between text and context. It is found that regarding CPEC project two different, parallel ideologies are emerged within our society, in many of the newspapers and journals, critics and columnists have written in the favour of project. A few critics are trying to highlight the problems and hurdles coming with this long-term development project. Media is circulating multiple ideas side by side on national and global platforms. Media also highlighting both ideologies by mediatization and exaggeration of positive and negative elements. This research will lead a reader to understand and investigate the ideological concerns hidden behind the word-play.