A study of the intertextuality of news headlines based on Chinese sources

Lyu Bo Postgraduate Student, Department of General and Russian Linguistics, Faculty of Philology, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Associate Professor, School of Foreign Languages, Hubei Minzu University Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia 1042228094@pfur.ru Other publications by this author

Perfilieva Natalia Vladimirovna ORCID: 0000-0002-1018-809X PhD in Philology Associate Professor, Department of General and Russian Linguistics, Faculty of Philology, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia 6 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Moscow, 117198, Russia perfilyeva_nv@pfur.ru Other publications by this author

Introduction

The theory of intertextuality, which originated in the field of literary criticism, was first developed in 1967 by the French semiotist Yu. Kristeva on the basis of M. M. Bakhtin's theory of dialogue. The linguist believed that the text does not exist in isolation, but is intertwined with other texts in a socio-cultural context: any text represents "the absorption and transformation of some other text" ^{[1, p. 429]}. Later, the theory received multidimensional interpretations and additions. R. Barth put forward the thesis that the text as a multidimensional space "<...> consists of a multitude of letters taken from many cultures and entering into mutual relations of dialogue, parody, and dispute" ^{[2, p. 148]}. The famous British linguist N. Fairclough introduced the concept of intertextuality into critical discourse analysis (KAD), pointing out that "intertextuality is, in fact, the property of texts to contain fragments of other texts that can be clearly distinguished or combined with them and which the text can assimilate, contradict, ironically reflect, etc." ^{[3, p. 84]}. In recent years, the theory of intertextuality has received a new development in the context of digital media and globalization. The American scientist J. Fiske wrote that, manifesting itself in the cross-media and cross-platform interaction of texts, “intertextuality exists rather in the space between texts.”^{[4, p. 108]}. According to J. The emergence of new media has not only dramatically expanded the number of intertexts, but has also fundamentally changed the form of intertextuality. The openness, fragmentation and decentralization brought by digital media make it possible to use digital intertextuality as an important perspective for understanding the "post-truth" ^{[5, p. 4]}.

In the era of globalization and digital technologies, the media play a key role in shaping public opinion. News headlines, as an announcement of a news text, are significant in spreading information and constructing social opinion. The intertextual analysis of news headlines makes it possible to identify their mechanisms in the formation and dissemination of information through quoting, imitation and reconstruction of other texts. In recent years, amid the rapid development of the news industry in China, a large number of works have appeared on the intertextuality of news headlines in political, social and cultural contexts.

The purpose of this study is to summarize Chinese scientific papers that study the intertextuality of news headlines and analyze them. The work also aims to identify methodological limitations and prospects for further research in this area. To achieve this goal, a structured analysis of scientific material is carried out, which examines various aspects of intertextuality.

Scientific articles, doctoral dissertations, and monographs published in Chinese from 2006 to 2024 were selected as the material. The sources of the research material were databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Database, VIP Database, China Social Science Library, etc.

Research methods. The method of systematic literature search using keywords in specialized databases guarantees the completeness and representativeness of the selected material. For a comprehensive analysis of scientific papers for these years, bibliometric tools are used to visualize analytical results. The comprehensive approach includes textual, discursive, and thematic analysis, critical synthesis, quantitative analysis, linguistic description, and transdisciplinary comparison. The use of these methods makes it possible to identify general research trends in the description of the intertextuality of news headlines in Chinese, to form a comprehensive and systematic analytical basis for a literary review, as well as to outline the prospects for future research.

The results of the study

For a systematic and comprehensive presentation and discussion of the results of the study of the intertextuality of news headlines (INZ) through keyword searches in Chinese academic databases (CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, China Social Science Library, etc.), 150 papers published from 2006 to 2024, including journal articles (70), were selected. Master's (57), doctoral (12) dissertations and monographs (11). A qualitative, quantitative and critical analysis of these works was carried out, which made it possible to outline the overall structure and trajectory of INZ research in China.

1. Stages of research on the intertextuality of news headlines

The development of research on the intertextuality of news headlines in China is conventionally divided into three stages: until 2006, research focused on the linguistic features of news headlines; 2006-2015. The theory of intertextuality, discourse analysis and critical discourse analysis, which cover issues of constructing social meaning and ideological functions, gained popularity; 2016-2024. under the influence of new media technologies, research The perspectives have become more diverse, and attention is being paid to the intertextual characteristics of Internet news headlines and their dynamics in the digital environment. Evolution reflects a change in the research paradigm: from linguistic forms to social functions.

(1) The first stage (until 2006)

Research on intertextuality in Chinese linguistics began relatively late, and the early stages were dominated by works devoted to the creation of news headlines: the types and functions of news headlines ^[6], grammatical features and rhetorical techniques ^[7] were analyzed. The research was limited to describing linguistic phenomena, and the concept of intertextuality is not used as a key theoretical tool.

In 1996, scientist X. Chen introduced the theory of intertextuality into the Chinese academic environment, comprehensively presenting the concepts and academic context of the theory, clearly defining the theoretical framework of Julia Kristeva, Roland Barthes, and others ^[8]. H. Qin (2004), L. Zhang (2006) and other scientists, continuing an in-depth presentation of the theory, emphasized the need to take into account differences between Chinese and Western linguistics in the transfer of cross-cultural theories, the need to take into account the Chinese classical tradition of using allusions and transformations ^{[9] [10]}.

In general, the research of news headlines in Chinese linguistics has been dominated by an emphasis on their creation and the study of linguistic art.

(2) The second stage (2006-2016)

At this stage, the research of the intertextuality of news headlines is characterized by multidimensional deployment. 83 papers were published, including 50 journal articles, 25 master's theses, 6 doctoral theses and 2 monographs. These works provided a rich research landscape and created a solid foundation for further study of the intertextuality of news headlines.

The first article on the intertextuality of news headlines was published in 2006. It analyzed the forms of intertextuality in newspaper headlines at two levels: intra-textual and extra-textual. It has been argued that an intra-textual intertextuality is observed between the main heading and the subheadings. Extra-textual techniques were also analyzed: quoting, the use of classical allusions, truncation, parody and their meaning ^[11]. This marked the transition from traditional linguistic research to research on intertextuality at the intersection of journalism and linguistics.

(3) The third stage (2016-2024)

At this stage, 20 journal articles, 32 master's theses, 6 doctoral theses and 9 monographs on the intertextuality of news headlines have been published.

Research on the intertextuality of news headlines at this stage is characterized by interdisciplinary and cross-theoretical integrations, more often being part of discursive and genre analysis, etc. The number of doctoral dissertations and monographs devoted to the intertextuality of news headlines has increased significantly.

2. Review of research on the intertextuality of news headlines

The sample of studies on the intertextuality of news headlines in China from 2006 to 2024 is represented by scientific articles, doctoral dissertations, and scientific monographs.

In the second and third stages, 70 scientific articles, 57 master's and 12 doctoral dissertations, and 11 scientific monographs were published.

The analysis of the published works revealed the following:

(1) The study of the intertextuality of news headlines often serves as a thematic object or method in scientific papers. For example, Y. Lai writes about the discursive intertextuality of news headlines in the aspect of critical discourse analysis ^[12]; Z. Chen and H. Mao conducted a cross-sectional intertextual analysis of anti-corruption news headlines in Japan based on the Asahi Shimbun newspaper headline corpus ^[13];

(2) Doctoral dissertations and monographs often synthesize several methodological approaches, tracing the path from studying the linguistic phenomena of the intertextuality of news headlines to considering them in a broader context: socialist, political, historical and communicative. For example, Y. Lai examines the discursive intertextual dialogue of news headlines in the sixth chapter of his doctoral thesis "Textual Analysis and Interpretation of Dialogic Journalism", analyzing the characteristics of vertical and horizontal intertextuality, as well as the cognitive mechanisms of intertextuality ^{[14, pp. 162-169]}. Considering headlines as an organic part of news discourse, C. Liu presented in her doctoral dissertation a comparative study of genre intertextuality in the coverage of conflicts in the South China Sea based on the material of Chinese and American newspapers (People's Daily and the New York Times) ^[15]. In the fourth chapter of the book "A comparative study of the discursive and pragmatic functions of indirect speech in Chinese and English newspaper news," the authors B. Xin and X. Gao, based on the classifications of indirect speech developed by Leech & Short (1981) and Waugh (1995) and using qualitative and quantitative analysis, as well as methods of corpus linguistics, conducts a study of indirect speech. speeches in the headlines of Chinese newspaper news in the following aspects: philosophical, discursive, pragmatic and stylistic, as well as in the aspect of critical analysis of discourse ^{[16, pp. 65-90]}. Also, the fourth chapter of the book "The Art of Language in the aspect of intertextuality" is devoted to newspaper headlines in news discourse ^{[17, pp. 131-169]}. G. Lin in the book "A study of online news discourse on both sides of the Taiwan Strait" considers news headlines as an organic element of news media discourse, using such methods as linguistic, sociolinguistic, semiotic, critical and content analysis ^[18].

3. The main results of research on the intertextuality of news headlines can be summarized into groups: research content and research methodology.

(1) The content of the research. Based on text analysis and keyword clustering, the main topics of Chinese research on the intertextuality of news headlines can be classified as follows:

· Linguistic strategies (microlevel): analysis of specific linguistic techniques (quoting, allusions, parodies, puns) used to create intertextuality in news headlines. The study of the effectiveness of these techniques in attracting attention, transmitting information and forming attitudes towards the news ^{[19] [20]};

· Ideological framing (cross-level): the study of how news headlines, through intertextuality, form an ideological framework and reflect attitudes towards power in society. Analysis of hidden meanings, manipulation of public opinion and promotion of certain political or economic interests ^{[21] [22] [23]};

· Socio-cultural context (macro level): the study of the relationship of intertextuality with culture, history and society as a whole. Analysis of the adaptation, distribution and evolution of intertextual references in various media and social networks. A study of the impact of global trends, cultural changes, and technological progress on the use of intertextuality in news headlines. Focus on intercultural communication and understanding ^{[24] [25]}.

(2) Research methodology:

· Critical discourse analysis (CDA): identification of mechanisms of influence and manipulation in the discourse of news headlines. The analysis of power relations and ideological attitudes reflected in the language and style of the headlines allows us to explore the goals and strategies of the authors of the headlines, as well as the hidden meanings and assumptions that they convey^{[26] [27] [28]};

· Corpus analysis: quantitative analysis of the characteristics of intertextuality in news headlines using large arrays of texts. Statistical identification of patterns and stable patterns used in various contexts. This method allows us to estimate the frequency of various intertextual techniques (citations, allusions, etc.) and identify trends in their use ^{[29] [13]};

· Case study method: a deep and comprehensive analysis of the construction of intertextuality using the example of specific news events (epidemics, elections, wars, etc.). Consideration of the socio-cultural and political context that influences the use of certain intertextual references and the interpretation of headlines. This method allows us to understand the complexity and versatility of intertextual connections ^{[30] [31]};

· Content analysis: A systematic study of the content of news headlines using well-defined categories and criteria. This method aims to identify the main themes, keywords, and values reflected in the texts. It also allows you to evaluate the tone and ideological orientation of the headlines, as well as identify changes in the content of the headlines over time.^{[32] [33]}.

Conclusions

The results of the analysis of scientific papers on the intertextuality of news headlines allow us to form the following conclusions:

1. The study of the intertextuality of news headlines in China demonstrates progress, but requires further deepening and innovative approaches;

2. Initially, the research was limited to a descriptive analysis of the types of intertextuality of news headlines. However, with the development of media ecology, the field of research has expanded, and news headlines have been seen as an integral part of news discourse in the context of news text.;

3. As research develops, the analysis of the intertextuality of news headlines is increasingly integrated into a cross-theoretical research paradigm and interdisciplinary theoretical framework, combining traditional provisions of the theory of intertextuality with theoretical approaches from such sciences as communication, sociology and cognitive linguistics.;

4. Issues such as increasing the amount of empirical data, analyzing the dynamic role of intertextuality in the production of media news in the digital environment, developing a theoretical framework for intertextuality and methodological techniques, and refusing to copy Western theories without taking into account the linguistic and cultural specifics of Chinese society require further elaboration.

Prospects for the study of the intertextuality of news headlines

Based on the findings of the review of the intertextuality of news headlines in Chinese scientific literature, we believe that a promising trend in the study of intertextuality may be a multidimensional analysis of intertextuality technologies in aspects of:

1. Technological aspect: using big data analysis and AI to detect intertextual connections, studying the impact of generative AI on the intertextuality of headlines;

2. Intermedia integration: a study of the mechanisms and effects of the dissemination of multimodal intertextuality (text, images, short videos);

3. Intercultural communication: a discursive analysis of local symbols and foreign cultural narratives in a global environment;

4. Ethical issues: exploring the boundaries of copyright and ways to ensure the accuracy of information.

Conclusion

This article presents a detailed analysis of research on the intertextuality of news headlines in Chinese scientific literature for the period from 2006 to 2024, on the basis of which conclusions are formulated and assumptions are made about the prospects for further research. The collected data can serve as a reference for related fields.