Language, gender and news media: a corpus-assisted critical discourse study of binary gender representations in China Daily

Abstract

Abstract

This study gives a corpus-assisted critical discourse study of the binary gender representations in Chinese most influential English-language newspaper China Daily (hereinafter CD) during the first two decades of the 21st century. By integrating text mining with FCDS, the research explores the particular ways of binary gender representations in CD synchronically and diachronically and reveals how they are shaped by the competing forces of the state, the market and feminism in China. The findings suggest that while significant progress is evident, such as the shift toward individualized representations of women, increased focus on their rights, health and professional achievements, and broader depictions of diverse life experiences, traditional gender ideologies persist. Media representations continue to emphasize women’s marital status, reproductive roles, and domestic responsibilities, reflecting deep-rooted societal norms and highlighting the tension between feminist progress and conventional expectations. The complex patterns in the newspaper’s binary gender representations further confirm the dynamic influences of the competing forces of the state, the market, and feminism during the examined period.