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| Title | Abstract | Action(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "Afghan, American and Pakistani Newspaper Articles on Afghan Peace Process: A Comparative Analysis of Textual Meta Functions" | Language serves a variety of functions termed as Meta Functions and the speaker’s knowledge of his language surpasses the structural boundaries. The present research analyses comparatively the newspaper articles from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the USA, about the Afghan Peace Process, from the lens of Textual Meta Function by Halliday and Hasan and its modifications by Halliday and Matthiessen. The researcher attempts to highlight and analyze the significant shift in the presentation of a particular stance through language. The linguistic academia is not much inclined towards such comparative analysis, that states the projection of stance through language, using the Textual Meta Function as framework. The selection and progression of the theme and rheme of the clause is on the part of the authors or the speakers according to Halliday and Matthiessen and they use the language resource with the aid of the devices of lexical and grammatical cohesion to perform the communicative function and present the text as a unified whole. The researcher has found that the authors of these newspaper articles vary as far as the selection and progression patterns of the theme and rheme of the clauses are concerned. The patterns of information through theme and rheme communicate a particular stance that is, the Afghan newspapers foreground the miseries and sufferings of Afghans in the wake of decades of war. Similarly, the articles from the USA highlight the importance of peace deal which will facilitate the withdrawal of the US and allies from Afghanistan in the context of US general election. The articles from Pakistan project the need of implementation of the clauses of the deal and the urgency of intra Afghan negotiations, moreover the Pakistani authors also highlight the prospects for Pakistan in the context of the deal. In addition to theme and rheme, the devices of lexical and grammatical cohesion also aid in the projection of that particular stance. The communicative function of the language has been performed by the authors from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the USA in a unique and diversified manner that projects their particular stance. |
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| "Representation of Climate in Graphic Journalism: An Intersemiotic Complementarity Approach" | Title: Representation of Climate in Graphic Journalism: An Intersemiotic Complementarity Approach The research attempts to explore the medium of graphic journalism to report incidents and communicate information. The graphic editorials on subject matter of climate are selected for the study. For this research, the theoretical model by T.D. Royce (1998) in his book "New Directions in the Analysis of Multimodal Discourse," published in 2007 is selected for the analysis to investigate the intersemiotic behavior of multiple modes. The data contains (35 graphic editorials) on subject matter of climate are selected from popular and widely visited graphic journalism websites. The study sought to examine the prevalence of dominant modes in the field of graphic journalism. Furthermore, to understand the cooperative conduct of the two modes that work together to disperse a single storyline. The interdependent behavior is emphasized by applying metafunction analysis on graphics. The study examines the various approaches employed by graphic journalists to depict and document climate-related events such as climate summits and their subsequent impacts such as wildfires and rising temperatures in Europe and many other. The study finds that the editorials utilize visual and verbal modalities extensively. The analysis examines the verbal and visual modalities of communication, focusing on their interdependent behavior. It considers the ideational, interpersonal, and compositional aspects in a comprehensive manner. Both approaches are equally important in establishing the semantic foundation for reporting specific information about climate. Therefore, the study aimsto encourage the use of graphic journalism and encourage journalists to embrace this creative medium, which has the capacity to both engage the reader/viewer emotionally and effectively convey information. |
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| "Representation of Ecological Issues in American, Chinese and Pakistani English Editorial Cartoons: A Multimodal Analysis" | Title: Representation of Ecological Issues in American, Chinese and Pakistani English Editorial Cartoons: A Multimodal Analysis This study aims at scrutinizing the representation of ecological issues through the visual and linguistic elements of editorial cartoons in three countries’ English newspapers; USA Today (America), China Daily (China), and Dawn (Pakistan). It comparatively analyzes the editorial treatment of climate change in developed and underdeveloped countries and how it influences the readers’ perspective. Ten editorial cartoons from each newspaper have been used as a sample for the data analysis of the study. A multimodal analysis is done by using Kress and Leeuwen’s (2006) visual grammar model and four aspects of Stibbe’s (2015) ecolinguistic theory as a theoretical framework to study ecological issues and blame game in editorial cartoons. These theories focus on the colors, symbols, metaphors, and triggering words to frame a concept in the minds of the viewers. Purposive sampling technique has been used to collect theme based editorial cartoons for a qualitative research. The researcher has focused on the variant patterns of representation of ecological issues, how these three countries deflect blame game on each other and how they project similarities and differences in the selected sample. Through the analysis of these linguistic and visual elements, the researcher has identified a pervasive use of metaphors in constructing the framing of climate change. A realistic approach in Pakistani editorial cartoons has been identified in raising awareness about vulnerability of developing countries to climate change and its effect on economy. American consumerism and Chinese blame-shifting strategy has foregrounded the theme of blame-game and helped the researcher to get the perspective of the producers. The frequency of appearance of these issues varies across the editorial cartoons. The study suggests a new perspective to look at the editorial cartoons and proposes further studies on how the comparative multimodal analysis can influence the critical thinking of the readers regarding crucial issues. |
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| ABJECTION, LIMINALITY, AND WARCHITECTURE: A STUDY OF MICHAEL ONDAATJE’S THE ENGLISH PATIENT (1992) AND CHRIS BOHJALIAN’S THE LIGHT IN THE RUINS (2013 | Title: Abjection, Liminality, and Architecture: A Study of Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient (1992) and Chris Bohjalian’s The Light in the Ruins (2013) The present research explores the depiction of war-ruined architecture in the selected literary texts, i.e., The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (1992) and The Light in the Ruins (2013) by Chris Bohjalian. This research is interdisciplinary in nature and investigates the influence of wartime violence on the identity and role of architecture and its depiction in literature. By identity, this study refers to an array of dimensions, including historical, social, functional, symbolic, and cultural, since wartime destruction leaves its influence on all these interconnected layers of architecture. Based on the textual evidence from the selected literary texts, this research suggests that wartime violence transcends the physicality of architecture and influences its symbolic meaning. This results in transforming the identity of architecture from an intact and safe space of simple dwelling into a partially ruined liminal space that is unsafe to inhabit yet promotes reconciliation among the victims and perpetrators of war. Architecture is mainly studied as a victim or a site of perpetration during wars. Once destroyed, the ruins are interpreted as carriers of the memories of the past or a promise for a better future. However, this study highlights the role of literature in opening up more possibilities for interpreting war-struck architecture by creating and presenting a rather positive picture of architecture in the postwar period. Moreover, the study also builds a connection between the discipline of architecture and literature. The theoretical framework employed in the research comprises Andrew Herscher’s concept of ‘Warchitecture’ and Julia Kristeva’s conceptualizations of ‘liminality’ and ‘abjection’ as the main theoretical lenses, while Nir Eisikovits’ concept of ‘reconciliation after conflicts’ as a secondary lens to analyze the selected texts. This qualitative research uses Catherine Belsey’s textual analysis method to study and analyze the selected texts and endeavors to explore the relationship between war and architecture, as well as its portrayal in literature. This study paves the way for researchers to examine the influence of violence on architecture and its inhabitants and how the multiple genres of literature portray this influence. |
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| SPACES OF DESCENT: A STUDY OF SUBVERSIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND ATTACHMENTS IN STIGMATIZED HETEROTOPIA | Title: Spaces of Descent: A Study of Subversive Relationships and Attachments in Stigmatized Heterotopia This research study delves into the interconnected themes of attachment, heterotopia, and stigmatization in Louise Brown's memoir Dancing Girls of Lahore, Elif Shafak's novel 10 Minutes and 38 Seconds in This Strange World, and the 2022 Indian film Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. By utilizing Bowlby’s Attachment Theory, Foucault’s concept of Heterotopia, and Goffman’s Stigmatization, this analysis investigates the profound implications of caregiving experiences on the formation of attachment styles and subsequent interpersonal relationships. It examines how marginalized individuals create "water bonds" stronger than "blood bonds" as mechanisms of resilience, highlighting the intersectionality of oppression and adaptive attachment in navigating stigmatization. Foucault’s heterotopia allows us to explore sanctuaries of empowerment where identity is reclaimed through resistance and solidarity. Goffman's stigmatization reveals how societal critique and layers of marginalization shape self-perception and resilience through space and bonding. This study aims to unravel the intricate connections between adult attachment theory, heterotopia, and stigmatization, illuminating their intersections and mutual influences. By analyzing relationships and attachments in red-light districts, this research provides literature students with a new theoretical and conceptual lens. Additionally, examining the heterotopias of stigma can apprise interventions to reduce the negative impacts of stigma within communities. The study also explores how individuals in harsh conditions find the will to survive through codependence, potentially paving the way for a better future for silenced and marginalized groups within societal structures. |
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