A corpus-based Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of the linguistic encoding of HIV and AIDS discourse by the Kwayedza newspaper in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper presents findings of a corpus-based Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of the linguistic encoding of HIV and AIDS discourse by the Kwayedza newspaper in Zimbabwe. The study examined the linguistic environment of keywords from a corpus of 8 205 word types and 20 996 tokens. The results reveal that repetition of main thematic concerns, use of infinitive and cognitive verbs that connote ‘telling’, rhetorical questions, metaphorical and evaluative language that portray women as objects and men as subjects were used as linguistic and discursive strategies in the discourse. Additionally, nominalisation-cum-thematisation of discourse topics, intertextuality, citation of views by experts and officials, the local nomenclature of HIV and AIDS and Shona for Specific Purposes (SSP) motivated by politeness, were variously used to reveal advances and challenges encountered regarding activities associated with the fight against HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe.