Epidemic Discourse and National Image Construction From the Perspective of Visual Grammar Theory

Abstract

A good national image helps to enhance the country’s voice in international diplomatic activities, and helps to strengthen the country’s soft power. As an important part of social reality, discourse plays an important role in the process of international diplomatic scene and national image construction. In recent years, with the global spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, news and public opinion around the world have focused on it, and a large number of news reports have emerged. Based on the theoretical framework of visual grammar theory and Halliday’s systemic functional linguistics theory, this study analyzes the relationship between epidemic discourse and national image structure from three aspects: reproduction function, interaction function and composition function, and puts forward targeted suggestions for building a good national image.