「 這就是美劇看待第三世界國家人民的方式」：中文觀眾之網路族群話語分析

“THIS IS A COMMON VIEW PRESENTED IN US TV PROGRAMS ABOUT PEOPLE FROM THE THIRD WORLD”: ETHNICITY DISCOURSES IN CHINESE ONLINE DISCUSSIONS

本文以歷史論述分析及批判論述分析為研究方法，分析美國情境喜劇 TheBig Bang Theory 和中文觀眾 (大多數為中國網民，少數為台灣網民) 對此節目中關於族群議題之論述及呈現。本文探討該節目如何使用頻次顯著的語言結構以凸顯印度及印度人，以及中文觀眾如何在網路空間討論該節目所呈現之印度及印度人的刻板印象。本文發現，中文觀眾或者複製、或者抵抗該節目之觀點。有些觀眾不僅批判該節目視印度人為他者的論述，更進一步討論中文觀眾在觀看美國節目時該如何反思印度人或者其它種族－包括華人－在美國流行影視節目中的偏頗形象及潛在種族歧視。觀眾的言談形成道德論述，即對美國觀點所呈現之印度人的回應反應了觀眾是否具有批判思考的能力和對其它種族的尊重。

In this study, I use the discourse historical approach and Critical Discourse Analysis as the overall framework to examine the ethnicity discourses represented in the popular US situation comedy, The Big Bang Theory, and Chinese audience’s responses to dialogues involving ethnic issues represented in it. I explore how India and Indians are constructed through discursive strategies in The Big Bang Theory, and also how Chinese audience debates the stereotypes and potential discrimination. As Chinese audience members either reproduce or resist the images of Indians portrayed in The Big Bang Theory, some become self-reflective in that they not only challenge the biased characterizations of Indians in this sitcom but also discuss how Chinese should position themselves in watching derogatory portrayals of Indians through the lens of US-centered media programs. A discursive feature in Chinese audience’s ethnicity discourses is that they are replete with moral judgments as to whether others’ perceptions of and attitudes towards Indians meet moral standards or not. The audience’s discourses are loaded with moral meanings that overtly communicate (dis)respect for other ethnic groups.