A Set of Ideas on “ASEAN” Constructed through Linguistic Strategies in Comic Books for Knowledge, ASEAN Knowledge Series

Abstract

This research aims to study features of a set of ideas on “ASEAN” as constructed through linguistic strategies in Comic Books for Knowledge (ASEAN knowledge series). Critical Discourse Analysis was used as an approach to this research. The results show that Comic Books for Knowledge not only publicize knowledge and entertainment, but also offer some ideas from the producer towards consumers. There were three sets of ideas found: ASEAN is a group competition, Thailand is the ASEAN leader, and ASEAN is an area of men than women. It can be said that these books attempt to define the “perfect ASEAN” through linguistic strategies such as vocabulary, reference, overgeneralization, modality, speech acts, presupposition, reasoning, voicedness, and ordering of events in    a story. The influences that affect these sets of ideas are the implementation of the ASEAN curriculum and patriarchy. These sets of ideas may determine a child's perception and can affect ASEAN policy with good intentions or with intentions from the producer.