Representation of stereotypes in creolized texts
ASSIGNMENT1: Study the creolized texts (texts containing two constituents of heterogenic nature – verbal and semiotic / iconic) below, identify stereotypes and dwell on both constituents and their role in stereotypes representation.
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Creolized text 1: Russians (in a humorous way)2
Figure 1 autostereotype of Russians
The text on the cartoon: A Russian cannot be alone. Two Russians means fighting. Three Russians means a drinking party.
Representation in creolized texts: the semiotic constituent is more important than the verbal one. This is a cartoon showing the fight of two Russians. All of them wear Old Russian national (rural) clothes, which clearly shows ethnic origin. Everywhere there are signs of drinking vodka, an empty glass is on the ground (floor), one empty bottle is already dropped. That scene is supported verbally – by the phrases (“A Russian cannot be alone” and “Two Russians means fighting”). The third man is carrying a new bottle of vodka to drink and to end the fight. The gesture “a flick on the side of the neck” supports the assumption of a stereotype of Russians – “drinking for three.” The assumption about Russians as heavy drinkers is verbally supported by the phrase “Three Russians means a drinking party.”
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Creolized text 2: the English (in a humorous way).
Figure 2 Heterostereotype of the English
The text on the cartoon: One Englishman is a gentleman. Two means betting. Three Englishmen means playing preference.
Representation in creolized texts: ____________________________________________
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Creolized text 3: the French (in a humorous way)
Figure 3 Heterostereotype of the French
The text on the cartoon: One French is a lover. Two means a duel. Three Frenchmen means revolution.
Representation in creolized texts: ___________________________________________________
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Creolized text 4: International negotiations3
Assignment: Representatives of five nations are sitting at the table of negotiation. The bubbles over their heads are the signs of their stereotypes. Fill in the bubbles to reflect what each person of the international team thinks about their respective counterparts. Pay attention at which each of them is looking. You may express your images either in writing or in drawing.
Figure 4 International stereotypes
Representation in creolized texts: _____________________________________________________ ______ _____________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
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C
The Politics of Fear
This is a highly controversial cartoon titled “The Politics of Fear” drawn by Barry Blitt and published during Barack Obama’s campaign (The New Yorker (July 21, 2008) “Sparks Political Firestorm in US.”). The Moscow News reprinted the cartoon with different commentaries that show how diverse the interpretation of may be. Opinions ranged from a satirical combination of “… a number of fantastical images about the Obamas…” to “tasteless and offensive." The description of the iconic constituent is given below in two alternative interpretations. Read both interpretations and comment on them giving arguments. State which element (iconic or linguistic) is more important? Express your opinion, which opinion do you share and why.
“The
illustration on the issue that hits newsstands Monday … depicts
Barack Obama wearing traditional Muslim garb – sandals, robe and
turban – and his wife, Michelle – dressed in camouflage, combat
boots and an assault rifle strapped over her shoulder – standing in
the Oval Office.
T
The Politics of Fear
Interpretation of the New Yorker: the “cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama’s right-wing critics have tried to create” … “The burning flag, the nationalist-radical and Islamic outfits, the fist-bump, the portrait on the wall? All of them echo one attack or another. Satire is part of what we do, and it is meant to bring out into the open, to hold up a mirror to prejudice. And that’s the spirit of this cover.” (the Moscow News, #28, 18-24 July 2009).
Interpretation of most of the readers: “…tasteless and offensive. And we agree.” (ibid.)
ASSIGNMENT 2: Summarize the ways of stereotype representations in creolized texts. Dwell on the roles of two heterogenic systems (natural language and semiotic signs); which is more expressive and influential?