The construction of anti-pandemic image: a semiotic study of the role metaphors play in pandemic discourse in China

Abstract The pandemic has attracted extensive media attention around the world. In reports on the pandemic, metaphors are widely used to frame pandemic events through cross-domain mappings. Based on critical metaphor analysis, this study examines the metaphors in pandemic reports published in China Daily , the largest government-owned English-language newspaper in China and explores the metaphorical construction of China’s anti-pandemic image. We find more than 13 metaphor varieties, among which, the metaphors of war, journey, and family and friend are dominant. Through these metaphors, China is largely constructed as a people-oriented, united, resilient, responsible, and friendly country as well as a victim of political stigmatization. We argue that the stance and ideology of China Daily and the international background of infodemic influence the representation of China’s anti-pandemic image.