Otherness in operation from the systemic-functional perspective: The case of the Russia-Ukraine war

This paper addresses the issue of otherness central to the study of media discourse of the Russia-Ukraine war. Based on the Halliday’s systemic-functional linguistics (SFL) framework as the conceptual foundation for describing the context of situation, I characterise the relevant features and macrostructure patterns that pertain to a functional structure in society. I develop a research framework for media discourse that is based on the components of a speaking grid model, elements of proximisation theory, speech acts theory, and the principle of seven standards of textuality to research media communication during the disturbing times of war. This study identifies the mechanisms of otherness and its social impact. After revisiting the threefold distinction between the field, tenor, and mode, a proposal is made to single out the category of credible otherness to capture practice performed by media. It rests on validating news content by means of strategies of proximising and objectivising which are intended to decrease a spatio-temporal dimension and convey truthful propositions. Finally, the analysis shows how otherness has been projected by media and how media’s framework of negative depictions of Russia provides discursive contexts for potential aggravation of conflict.