Behind The Hedges:A Longitudinal Approach To Hedging In The Economist’s News Reports On China(1997-2022)

Hedges,as an effective pragmatic strategy,are ubiquitous in various languages,thus becoming a focus among linguists.However,previous studies on hedges in news reports of western media are comparatively few,let alone longitudinal studies on them.Therefore,this paper focuses on the news reports about China in The Economist from1997 to 2022 for a relatively thorough survey of hedges on the combination of both quantitative and qualitative analysis,with the aim of investigating the three following questions:(1)On a micro level,have the hedges used in The Economist’s news reports on China changed throughout 25 years from 1997 to 2022? If yes,then how have they changed?(2)If there are changes in the use of hedges,then on a macro level,what are The Economist’s attitudes towards China based on the change of hedges used in the news reports?(3)What factors are related to the above changes on both micro and macro levels?Under the guidance of Fairclough’s three-tiered model,there are mainly three major findings:Firstly,the overall frequency of hedges used experiences a decline throughout 25 years.Specifically,adaptors,rounders and plausibility shields are in accordance with the tendency,while attribution shields are on the opposite.Besides,in terms of distribution,attribution shields are used more frequently during the period,especially the one “someone says”.Secondly,hedges are used as subtle manipulation to beautify their shape of a distorted stereotype of China in a more direct manner to some extent.During the 25 years,especially in the past ten years,it has taken more and more negative attitudes towards China with the aim to vilify China’s image in the international community.Eventually,it is the economic,social and cultural factors that together exert influence on the change of the use of hedges.The difference in values and political systems between the two countries brings about misconception,leading to the criticism from their own ideas,institutions,experiences and cultures.Besides,China’s rapid development is defined as a threat to the western countries as the only dominated force in the world order.In short,a longitudinal approach to hedges in The Economist’s news reports on China indicates a growing bias towards China.In this regard,we are supposed to enhance our language power against the international communication background,thus establishing positive national image.