A Contrastive Study Of The Conceptualization Of Higher Education In Chinese And American University President Convocation Speeches (2015-2019) Under Critical Framing Model

Based on the Framing Theory and Critical Metaphor Analysis,this thesis constructs the framework of Critical Framing Model to analyze the metaphorical frames in convocation speeches delivered by Chinese and American university presidents.It not only explains the cognitive mechanism of language comprehension and reception,but also focuses on the process of constructing the concept and consciousness and public concept underlying educational discourse.50 president convocation speeches are collected from the top universities listed on the QS World Rankings published in 2019,including 5 Chinese universities and 5 American universities from 2015 to 2019.Three steps are adopted to analyze the speeches: frame identification,frame interpretation and frame explanation,which not only emphasizes the role of social culture and ideology from macroscope aspects.But also focuses on the cognitive process of language on a microscopic level.Both the Chinese corpus and the American corpus cover JOURNEY Frame,GARDENING Frame and COMMERCE Frame.JOURNEY Frame accounts for a larger proportion,which emphasizes the guiding role of teachers in the learning process.The proportion of GARDENING Frame in Chinese corpus is higher than that in American corpus.It not only reflects the importance of teacher training but also emphasizes the necessity of students' active learning.The reason of the formation of GARDENING Frame is that it relates to Chinese educational philosophy since ancient times.Students are often referred to as “peaches and plums” and teachers as “gardeners”.In addition,the COMMERCE Frame appears in both president convocation speeches of Chinese and American universities.Although the proportion was small,it dissects the process of commercialization of education,so that the president convocation speeches of each university clearly showed their opposing attitude to the commercialization of higher education.The EMPOWERMENT Frame,MARCH Frame and STAGE Frame are unique to the Chinese corpus.The EMPOWERMENT Frame emphasizes the subjective initiative of students and the function of education for the empowerment of ability or energy.MARCH Frame stresses the importance of discipline,principles and the cultivation of ideals and beliefs.The great support and strategic guidance to the educational cause make colleges and universities pay more attention to the main role of students.The STAGE Frame reflects the fact that universities aim at providing a fair platform for students and offering more possibilities for students' growth.The COMMUNITY Frame,BUILDING Frame and WAR Frame are unique to the American corpus.The COMMUNITY Frame not only focuses on the coordinated development of individuals and groups,but also reflects the pursuit of higher education equality in America.While BUILDING Frame embodies the basic role of universities in the process of education.Comparing with the MARCH Frame,the WAR Frame covers a wider range of elements and tends to reflect the cruelty of external environment and sense of honor.This study has certain theoretical significance.Critical Framing Model provides a more comprehensive framework for the explanation of the cognitive mechanism of language comprehension and reception.Moreover,it reveals the views and values underlying metaphorical frames.From the practical point of view,this research is helpful to understand the construction of public concept by the conceptualization of Chinese and American higher education,and provide reference for the study of Chinese and American higher education.