"THE WORLD CUP'S UNIVERSE" ...AS CONSTRUCTED BY THE US MEDIA: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF SELECT SPORTS COMMENTARIES

Abstract

This paper presents a critical discourse analysis of ten randomly selected sports commentaries published in the US during the 1994 soccer World Cup. The US occupied a prominent position in this tournament mainly because of its role as the host. It is suggested that in response to their country's unusual marginalization in a major world event, the sports commentators in the sample felt the need to construct a positive image of the US. In the articles discussed, the writers construct the soccer-playing world in ways which cast their own country in a rather positive light. They employ various discourse strategies, such as catchy headlines, metaphors, stereotypical images, contrasts, and exclusions, in order to perpetuate certain cultural values and assumptions in favor of their own country.