Discursive Space of Leading Chinese ‘New Media’

Introduction. The active development of China’s Internet space i has facilitated the shaping of such a phenomenon as ‘new media’ that become an important platform for discursive practices and new patterns of discourse. The specifics of social platforms and Internet space in China — coupled with complex linguistic forms and genres — yield original discursive practices currently investigated by both domestic and foreign researchers. Goals. The paper attempts an analysis of Chinese social platforms for up-to-date accounts of the new media. Nowadays, the Chinese Internet space is used not only for quick information exchange but also for understanding public opinions on political, social, economic, and cultural agendas. Materials and methods. The study of discursive practices within the Chinese Internet space is implemented herein mainly with the aid of two strategies, namely: Generic Structure Potential theory (by Halliday and Hassan); and that of system and structure (by Martin). The article employs both scientific and humanities (linguistic) research methods which make it possible to compile a comprehensive analytical table on the audience and content of China’s new media. Moreover, it provides some detailed descriptions of how each selected social platform works to form an in-depth understanding of their individual activities. Results. The identified gender and age structure is instrumental in delineating discursive strategies and popular discussion topics. The implementation of certain discursive strategies within the new media and the emergence of new discursive practices — require new approaches and methods of study. Further development of Internet space in China shall dramatically increase the role of the popular social platforms to be accompanied by even more diversified discursive patterns. 

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