Representations of Childhood in Crisis Discourse: A Visual and Linguistic Semiotic Reading of the Documentary Film "Children of ISIS: No Hope for the Future"
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1607.23Keywords:
docudiscourse, semiotics, image analysis, language analysisAbstract
This paper utilizes a combination of linguistic and visual analysis to examine the semiotic constructions of childhood in the documentary "Children of ISIS: No Hope for the Future," employing a blend of linguistic and visual analysis. The study employs qualitative methods to examine the film's visual and verbal discourse, building on the semiotics of Saussure, Peirce, Barthes, and Kristeva. The study posits that documentary discourse functions not only as a presentation of reality, but also as a symbolic reconstruction of it. For instance, the term "ticking bombs" has been employed to frame children within a charged security discourse. Furthermore, the image itself conveys meaning through composition, lighting, and angle, contributing to semantic tension. Intertextuality plays a significant role in unraveling the paradox between asserted juridical imperatives and vita activa. The study posits that journalists and media creators can influence the media's portrayal of children by deconstructing and reconstructing media narratives with semiotic awareness. The objective of this initiative is to establish alternative narratives that place the voices and rights of children at the forefront, ensuring that they are fairly and humanely represented.
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