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Article published In:
Terminology, Ideology and Discourse
Edited by Katia Peruzzo and Paola Catenaccio
[Terminology 30:1] 2024
► pp. 58–80

Terminology, popularisation and ideology in contemporary China

The ‘Scientific & Technical Term of the Day’ column

| University of Milan,
This paper explores the relationship between terminology, the popularisation of scientific and technical knowledge and ideology in the People’s Republic of China. Specifically, it presents a study that focuses on an online daily column entitled ‘Scientific & Technical Term of the Day’ (每日科技名词), a terminology popularisation project promoted by China’s contemporary political leadership and implemented through the digital institutional platform Xuexi qiangguo 学习强国.
Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of critical discourse studies and legitimation in discourse, as well as frame analysis and frame semantics, the paper presents an analysis of expository texts designed to complement the knowledge provided by terminographic definitions of the terms published in the daily column. The focus is on the framing of China and the Party-state in these texts, which, it is argued, can also be interpreted as legitimation strategies.
Keywords: Chinese terminology, scientific-technical discourse, popularisation discourse, ideology, Xuexi qiangguo
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background, framework and scope
    • 2.1Popularisation discourse and terminology
    • 2.2Theoretical and analytical framework
    • 2.3Research aims and questions
  • 3.Data and methods
  • 4.Analysis
    • 4.1Mechanical engineering: Success and progress
    • 4.2Water-related technologies and environmental protection: Responsibility and commitment
  • 5.Discussion and concluding remarks
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 18 July 2024
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/term.00077.ber
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