BRICS Currency Orientation through Political Cartoons: A Semiotic Study of China Daily’s Cartoons

Abstract

This paper elucidates the representation of the BRICS nations’ currency aspirations as depicted in political cartoons published in China Daily. The study employs a semiotic framework grounded in Juri Lotman’s theory of the Semiosphere (1977) to investigate how these cartoons utilize visual language, imagery, and metaphor, particularly in reflecting the intricate dynamics of global finance and the growing resistance against the hegemony of the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, these cartoons also reflect the interpersonal, ideational, and textual functions of communication, serving as a metaphor for China’s strategic role within the BRICS coalition. Additionally, the research examines the dualistic nature expressed in these cartoons, which oscillate between utopian ideals for a unified currency and the complex challenges presented by geopolitical tensions and economic disparities. The study emphasizes the influence of these visual narratives on public perceptions of globalization and its cultural ramifications. The culture of cartoons signifies a broader narrative that encompasses themes of nationalism, economic autonomy, and the balance of power within the BRICS alliance. The findings indicate that these cartoons also serve the function of auto-communication in shaping opinions both domestically and internationally regarding economic policies and their implications.

Key Terms: BRICS, Political Cartoons, Semiosphere