A Discourse Analysis of the Voice-over Narration Power in Ethnic Minorities Documentaries: A Case Study of "Image Journal of Fifteen Endemic Minorities in Yunnan, China"
Abstract
In many countries, documentaries about ethnic minorities are produced by teams from the dominant ethnic group. Beyond the unconscious portrayal of positions during planning, filming, and editing, the choice of voice-over narration strategies can also invisibly reinforce unequal power relations. This paper examines the Chinese documentary Image Journal of Fifteen Endemic Minorities in Yunnan, China, and explores how voice-over narration influences power distribution through linguistic manipulation. Employing discourse analysis, this study examines the imbalance in discourse power that results from linguistic strategies, including the use of third-person pronouns, deontic modality, and abstract adjectives. Quantitative analysis further highlights the marginalization of ethnic minority voices, with the mother tongue appearing in less than 2% of the film's screen time. The results suggest that narration, as a discursive strategy, shapes power relations and suppresses the subjectivity of ethnic minorities. This study contributes to the connection between documentary research and linguistic analysis, advocating for more ethical and diverse narrative practices.
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