Power Dynamics and Linguistic Strategies in Social Media Framing of Refugee Crises: A Critical Analysis of Ukrainian and Arab Refugees
Khalid Wassaf Abed Al Yakoobi
1
(
Department of English Language, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
)
Bahram Hadian
2
(
Department of English Language, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
)
3
(
Department of English, College of Education, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Diwaniya, Iraq
)
Fatemeh Karimi
4
(
Department of English Language, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
)
Keywords: Power Dynamics, Linguistic Strategies, Rhetorical Techniques, Refugee Crisis, Social Media,
Abstract :
This study investigates how power dynamics and linguistic strategies shape the social media framing of refugee crises, specifically comparing narratives surrounding Ukrainian and Arab refugees. Employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) guided by van Dijk’s socio-cognitive approach, this research examines how power structures and ideologies influence the portrayal of these groups across platforms like Twitter (X) and Reddit. The study compares discourse related to the influx of Ukrainian refugees post-February 2022 with that surrounding the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis to uncover patterns of bias and inequality. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods, the research analyzes a corpus of social media posts to identify specific linguistic strategies—such as lexical choices, metaphors, and narrative structures—that contribute to double standards in representation. The findings reveal how Western-centric biases, nationalism, and Islamophobia shape the framing of Ukrainian and Arab refugees, reinforcing societal inequalities. This paper underscores the role of language in perpetuating discriminatory practices and highlights the need for critical awareness to challenge biased narratives.
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