Date of Award
1-1-2015
Thesis Type
masters
Document Type
Thesis (Restricted Access)
Divisions
language
Department
Faculty of Languages and Linguistics
Institution
University of Malaya
Abstract
Adopting Wodak’s Discourse Historical Approach (Wodak et al., 1999; Wodak, 2001; and Reisigl and Wodak, 2009) as the research framework, this research investigates strategies used in the media representation of people who work in the sex sector alongside the strategies these workers' themselves use in their self-representation. It also looks at the argumentative strategies that both parties use to validate or justify their representations. The research data analysis derives from two primary sources; The Star Online and data from a focus group interview with people in the sector. 20 news articles from The Star Online; reporting events and stories involving sex workers working in Malaysia; dated from January 2012 to December 2012 and 3 female and 2 transgendered male to female sex workers were selected and interviewed for the purpose of the research analysis. Findings show that sex workers were represented as either lawbreakers or victims by the media. On the other hand, sex workers (based on interviews), represent themselves more complex ways than in the binary constructed by the media. They construct themselves as victims, heroes, breadwinners to the family, independent individuals and also as criminals. The details of the research findings are discussed more thoroughly in the research dissertation.
Note
Dissertation (M.A.) – Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya, 2015.
Recommended Citation
Natrah, Noor, "Self-other representation of sex workers in Malaysia / Natrah Noor" (2015). Student Works (2010-2019). 3047.
https://knova.um.edu.my/student_works_2010s/3047