西方媒体中的“针灸”话语研究
An Analysis of “Acupuncture” in Western Media Discourses
DOI: 10.12677/ML.2021.96194, PDF, HTML, XML, 下载: 319  浏览: 675  国家科技经费支持
作者: 张瑞华, 史鑫媛:天津科技大学,天津
关键词: 语料库语言学范畴西方媒体针灸批评话语分析Corpus-Linguistic Category Western Media Acupuncture Critical Discourse Analysis
摘要: 本研究基于扩展意义单位词汇模式探讨西方媒体对针灸这一治疗手段总的认知和态度,基于主题词考察西方五国媒体围绕针灸话题各自的侧重点。研究发现:1) 西方媒体话语虽然整体构建了“针灸”被广泛接受及治疗手段行之有效的形象,但仍对西医科学具有倾向性;2) 各国报道各有侧重,但总体上对针灸持认可态度。另外,该研究揭示了针灸在西方国家中所面临的一些挑战,可为今后推动针灸的国际化传播提供启示。
Abstract: Based on the lexical model of Extended Units of Meaning, this study explores the cognitions and attitudes towards acupuncture in western media discourses; based on the keywords, it contrasts its construction among Western media discourses. It has found that: 1) the images that acupunc-ture has been effective and widely accepted have been constructed, but Western Medicine is still generally favored; 2) each western media has its own focuses, but they all hold a positive attitude towards acupuncture. In addition, this study reveals some challenges faced by acupuncture in western countries, and provides insights into promoting its international communication.
文章引用:张瑞华, 史鑫媛. 西方媒体中的“针灸”话语研究[J]. 现代语言学, 2021, 9(6): 1424-1430. https://doi.org/10.12677/ML.2021.96194

1. 引言

批评话语分析始自1979年“批评语言学”这一概念的提出,它主要揭示语言、权利和意识形态之间的关系(辛斌,高小丽2013 [1] )。批评话语分析发展至今,已取得了丰硕的成果。媒体话语是社会文化及意识形态的载体,影响力巨大,所以备受关注。近年来,基于语料库的批评话语分析研究迅猛发展。国外媒体话语的语料库研究话题大多集中于性别问题(Al-Hejin 2014 [2]; Mustafa-Awad & Kirner-Ludwig 2017 [3]; Turner et al. 2018 [4]; Wilkinson 2019 [5] )、难民问题(Baker & McEnery 2005 [6]; Baker et al. 2008 [7]; Efe 2019 [8] )、宗教问题(Salam 2011 [9] )等;国内则多聚焦“中国崛起”。一些学者自建语料库,揭示西方媒体对中国形象、“一带一路”、“中国经济”等话题的解读和态度(如邵斌、回志明2014 [10];钱毓芳、黄晓琴2016 [11];李静2018 [12];陈琳琳2018 [13];Hou 2019 [14];Liu & Liu 2019 [15];Li 2020 [16];Wang 2021 [17] 等)。虽然国内外研究话题丰富多样,但鲜见针对针灸的话语建构研究,本研究拟借助语料库范畴和方法以及批评话语分析的视角来揭示西方媒体对针灸的话语建构。

2. 研究步骤

本研究分为两部分。第一部分基于扩展意义单位(Model of Extended Units of Meaning)词汇模式来考察西方媒体对“针灸”总的认知和态度。Sinclair (1996 [18] )最早提出扩展意义单位词汇模式,该模式由节点词(node word)、搭配(collocation)、类联接(colligation)、语义趋向(semantic preference)、语义韵(semantic prosody)五个要素组成。该模式是典型的形式、意义和功能的复合体,也是比较全面的语言描述模型(卫乃兴2012 [19] )。语料来自NOW (News on the Web)在线语料库。以“acupuncture”为检索词,时间设定为2010年至2021年9月1日,国家设定为西方“内圈英语”国家(即英国、美国、加拿大、澳大利亚和新西兰) (Kachru 1985 [20] ),提取索引行后人工剔除无关结果,建立“针灸语料库”,“针灸”在库中的频次为7412。利用检索分析软件AntConc3.2.4,将跨距设定为+5/−5,获取检索词的搭配词(MI ≥ 3)。因动词可提供有关行为变化及主谓关系的信息,对语篇的构建至关重要,形容词能扩展并阐述文本中蕴含的信息(Biber 1988 [21] ),故本文将重点检视高频搭配词中的动词和形容词。

第二部分基于“acupuncture”主题词对比分析考察西方五国媒体各自的侧重点。主题词是与参照语料库相比,在给定文本中异常高频出现的词(Scott 1997 [22] ),可反映观察语料库的主题内容(钱毓芳2010 [23] )。该部分通过主题词的对比分析来深层次地揭示各国媒体对针灸话语建构的不同侧重。

3. 结果与讨论

3.1. Acupuncture的搭配词、语义趋向及语义韵分析

Acupuncture的15个高频搭配形容词经归纳分类后,可发现西方媒体通过形容词对acupuncture的话语建构主要围绕以下三个方面(即三个主要语义趋向):1) 外部描述性特征,比如针灸为古老的、自然的、不同的、注重整体调理的(ancient、natural、different、holistic)治疗方法;2) 内部定义性特征,比如针灸具临床(clinical)有效性,在医疗(medical)行业不断创新,从主动针灸研究(active)到真假针灸研究(real、sham),从日常护理到美容美颜(cosmetic、facial);3) 评价性特征,比如针灸虽被当作补充医学(alternative、complementary),但被认为是好的、安全、有效的(good、great、safe、effective),在西方国家很多时候已成为优选,并逐步走向国际化。从以上分析可以看出,第1、3语义趋向具有积极语义韵,第2个语义趋向则主要是对针灸本体的客观描述,所以具有中性语义韵。

15个高频搭配动词可按主体及语义分为三大类,分别构成acupuncture的另外三个语义趋向:第一类为“报道类”,其主导语义为“某研究发现了/报道了针灸的……”(found、reported)。该类动词表达了西方媒体对针灸的态度和评价,部分索引行展示如下:

(1) ... most of the other patients reported real relief, and those who received acupuncture felt even better than those on the anti-pain pill.

(2) A 2007 study found that 60 percent of pregnant women who received acupuncture treatments reported a decrease in back pain.

(3) ..., and a different study found that acupuncture may help treat the medications’ side effects.

(4) ... including a 2009 study that found acupuncture was effective in managing nausea from chemotherapy.

观察索引行发现,该类动词右侧常为effective、relief、help等积极涵义的词汇,反映出西方对针灸持有较正面的态度,所以这个语义趋向具有较为积极的语义韵。

第二类为“实施”类,仔细分析其扩展语境后,可将该类动词主导语义归纳为“尝试针灸疗法”(try*1)、“接受/进行针灸治疗”(receive*、perform*)等。该类动词主要描述了针灸的客观实施情况,所以这个语义趋向的语义韵趋于中性。例如:

(5) ... he tried to cure himself through acupuncture sessions, ...

(6) Inflammatory bowel disorder (IBS) sufferers whereby patients received sham acupuncture. Better pain relief was reported by those given sham acupuncture ...

(7) A total of 388 acupuncture treatments were performed on the babies, the authors reported.

第三类为“效果”类,该类动词主体皆为acupuncture,主导语义通过索引行观察可概括为中医作用于(work*)人体进行内在调理,帮助减轻(reduce*、alleviate、help)疼痛、缓解(relieve)病症、治疗(treat*)疾病,从而改善(improve)身体健康,可以说为患者提供了(offer*、provide)一种安全且有用的治疗方式,故常被(某协会)推荐使用(recommended)。与该类动词共现的词语大多呈积极语义,acupuncture被建构为“在治疗病症等方面具有显著效果”,所以这个语义趋向具有积极的语义韵。例如:

(8) Acupuncture works on the normal nervous system, so it lowers your stress levels, which in turn helps your muscles.

(9) Acupuncture can help period pain by promoting blood circulation.

(10) ... acupuncture can help relieve pressure on sinuses and improve circulation.

(11) Today, acupuncture is used to treat more than 50 diseases, symptoms and a variety of conditions.

(12) Currently, acupuncture is recommended by the National Institute for Health.

综上分析,acupuncture被建构为“作为传统的中医治疗手段,在治疗疼痛、调节身体平衡等方面是有效和安全的,是逐渐被西方大众所接受的一种辅助治疗手段”,所以整体来看,acupuncture在西方媒体话语中具有较积极的语义韵。

Acupuncture主要类联接有:acupuncture + is、acupuncture + and/or + N、the + N + of + acupuncture、acupuncture + V、acupuncture + modal verb等,其搭配词示例,见表1

Table 1. Main colligations of acupuncture

表1. Acupuncture的主要类联接

观察发现,acupuncture + is后接的一般是释义性话语。表1显示,右侧常见的共现词为12个,均为定义性的词汇,其中最高频的三个为:treatment (10)、option (9)、therapy (7)。这说明acupuncture 在西方国家常被认知为一种treatment、option或therapy。前两者并不奇怪,我们重点来看一下therapy。根据牛津词典,therapy指的是“针对身体、心理疾病的疗法”,通常耗时较长,以改善整体健康状况为目的,但不使用药物或手术,而acupuncture正是通过对身体的长期调理来达到改善身体状况或治病的目的。

表1可知,acupuncture + and/or + N右侧共现词均为具有类似疗效的治疗手段,比如:瑜伽(yoga)、脊柱推拿(Chiropractic care)、拔罐(cupping)等。但西方媒体比较注重针灸与不同疗法的结合,而非比较,传递给大众的是“中医体系内各疗法相辅相成”的信息。

Acupuncture + V同样建构出针灸在帮助缓解症状(helps alleviate symptoms)、减轻疼痛(reduces pain)、改善容貌(improves the appearance)、疏通经络(activates the body’s meridians)、促进自愈(stimulates the body’s natural healing)、促进血液循环(works by promoting circulation of blood)等方面卓有成效的形象。

表1可以看出,构成the + N + of + acupuncture类联接的名词共有14个,包括effect、use、benefits、effectiveness、efficacy、practice、value、results、help、combination等,基本涵盖了“实施”和“效果”两大类。具体示例如下:

(13) The results of acupuncture have become more promising to many patients ...

(14) ... my life vastly improved by the adoption of acupuncture, ...

(15) With the help of acupuncture the cure will reduce pain substantially ...

(16) The practice of acupuncture offers a variety of scenarios, which make it different from other types of medicine.

(17) While some studies claiming the efficacy of acupuncture have been published in recent years, ...

在acupuncture + modal verb类联接中,虽然情态动词多样,但对情态动词can、could、should、must、would、might、may一一检索后发现其语义殊途同归,搭配词多是具有积极语义的动词,比如help、restore、improve、alleviate、boost、treat等,表达的均是治疗效果,所以该类联接具有积极语义韵。部分示例如下:

(18) Acupuncture can help period pain by promoting blood circulation.

(19) Acupuncture could dramatically boost the chances of IVF treat.

(20) Acupuncture may improve and establish good general health for ...

更具体的一种类联接是“acupuncture + modal verb + be”,例如:

(21) ... the new study show acupuncture could be a useful treatment ...

(22) Acupuncture can be a beneficial addition for treating ...

(23) ... several drugs with potential interactions, acupuncture might be a first choice.

(24) Acupuncture would be suitable as an adjunctive therapy to alleviate inflammation after craniotomy.

(25) Clinical trials indicate that acupuncture may be an effective adjunct therapy for musculoskeletal problems, ...

检视扩展语境发现该类联接倾向于同useful、effective、beneficial、helpful、recommended、promising、worthwhile、a way to help等具有积极语义的词共现,表达的是一种积极的评价,所以该类联接也具有积极语义韵。由上述分析可知,在西方媒体话语中,acupuncture整体被建构为“能够缓解疼痛,以改善整体健康状况为目的,是有效的、安全的辅助治疗手段”。

3.2. 西方各国媒体“针灸”话语侧重点

主题词是语料库语言学中考察主题内容的重要方法。为探究各国媒体“针灸”话语的侧重点,本文把五国的“针灸”语料分别建库,然后用一国与其余四国的“针灸”话语进行对比,分别统计各国的主题词,选择排名前10的实词进行分析,所得具体结果,见表2

Table 2. Acupuncture: keywords for western countries

表2. 西方各国“针灸”报道主题词

表2可看出,美媒侧重针灸的科研发展及其数据,比如针灸效果的对比实验(active, sham)。sham acupuncture指“假针灸”,是科学研究中为了验证针灸的效果,用于对照组中的实验方式。此外,“showed”“percent”“randomized”同样处于“科学研究”的语义环境中。例如:

(26) A 2010 study showed that acupuncture is more effective than muscle relaxant therapy in treating headaches.

(27) The growth is remarkable considering that less than one percent of the population reported trying acupuncture in the last two decades.

(28) Thirty-five and 37 children were randomized to the active acupuncture and sham acupuncture arms, respectively.

可见,美媒比较关注针灸在治疗疾病方面的科学性。值得注意的是,例27中,美媒通过数据表述了近年来针灸在西方国家使用率还是比较乐观的。美媒较为关注的另一方面是针灸相关的医疗保险制度。比如根据索引行“Only 25 percent of adults getting acupuncture had insurance that covered the cost”可以发现,西方国家医疗保险对针灸报销的覆盖率并不是很高,然而作为医疗保障体系相对完善的国家,其民众对医疗保险依赖性不言而喻,这也在一定程度上阻碍了针灸使用率的提升。观察英媒的主题词,我们可以发现英媒对针灸有一种较为消极的(certainty, trials,incidents,anxiety,sufferers等)话语倾向;相关索引行也显示英国更加注重针灸的医疗事故(比如“Over a three-year period, researchers identified 325 patient safety incidents related to having acupuncture treatment”)以及针灸有效性研究实验的低质量数据(比如“We are uncertain if acupuncture reduces the use of pharmacological analgesia because the evidence was found to be very low certainty”);除此之外,英媒还比较关注针灸带给群众健康观念上(conception)的变化。加媒的侧重点主要在于针灸的市场(market)及人员准入问题,其中包括认证机构(institute, services),从业资格(certification,certified)、人员培训(training)等方面;相较于其他四国,澳大利亚的话语倾向较为积极,主要侧重于针灸的安全性(safe)及缓解疼痛等疗效(pain,relief,effective),但尽管如此,针灸仍然是被定义为辅助(alternative)疗法;另外,与美媒不同,澳媒对于针灸与保险相关的报道是趋于肯定的,比如,“Acupuncture cover is included under some extras private health insurance policies in Australia that can provide benefits when you see an acupuncturist”;可见,澳大利亚是积极支持针灸发展的,这在一定程度上离不开中国与澳大利亚签署的“中医药国际合作与促进”项目。新西兰媒体主要侧重于针灸师的资格注册(registered,qualification)、针灸的组织机构(authority,community)、会议(conference)及针灸的发展回顾(reviews)等。同时,新西兰相对关注针灸的发展趋势(Acupuncture may become a mainstream treatment for period and endometriosis pain)。总体而言,五国对针灸的报道虽各有侧重,但总体上对针灸这一疗法持相对认可的态度。

4. 结论与展望

针灸,是祖国医学遗产的一部分,也是我国特有的民族医疗手段。通过西方媒体对针灸较充分的报道,可以发现其较为客观地建构了针灸在“镇痛、助产、美容、辅助戒酒治疗”等方面疗效显著的形象,但部分受众的质疑声音也如影随行。通过数据,仍能发现西方群众所担忧的一些问题多集中于针灸的使用问题。西方媒体对针灸的负面报道大多集中在针头污染(contaminated needles)、针头遗留(left in the patient)等用针安全问题上。但在生活中,针灸的操作人员都是需要经过培训及资格认证才能上岗的,因此在正规机构中,针灸使用的安全性实则可以保障。

西方医学界和大众对于针灸使用安全性的顾虑,在一定程度上影响着针灸在国际上的发展。要克服这些消极影响,需要医学工作者、中医相关组织及对外传播媒体共同努力。首先,西方各国的针灸师及相关工作人员要坚持针灸理论体系的学习和不断完善,积极宣传针灸,引导西方受众去往正规医疗机构接受针灸治疗;此外,我国涉外媒体应及时回应国外媒体报道中对针灸的质疑与错误引导,对外积极报道针灸的有效性及可靠性,进一步提高西方大众对针灸认知的全面性及科学性,同时为其创造良好的国际舆论环境,进一步推动其在国际医学界中的发展。

基金项目

2017年度教育部人文社科规划基金项目“话语分析视角下西方媒体话语中的中国概念研究”(17YJA740068)。

NOTES

1try*表示lemma,包括try、trying、tried等,以下同。

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