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Decoding the Discourse: Analyzing the Linguistic Features and Strategies Behind the Querdenken Movement's COVID-19 Narrative.

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Titel: Decoding the Discourse: Analyzing the Linguistic Features and Strategies Behind the Querdenken Movement's COVID-19 Narrative.
Autoren: Sobieska A; TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich., Hampel M; TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich., Weidenspointner R; TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich., Pauli V; TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich., Pan C; CREATE Lab, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne., Jun SM; TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich., Gutsmiedl P; TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich.
Quelle: Health communication [Health Commun] 2025 Nov; Vol. 40 (12), pp. 2591-2601. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Mar 03.
Publikationsart: Journal Article
Sprache: English
Info zur Zeitschrift: Publisher: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 8908762 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1532-7027 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10410236 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Health Commun Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: [London] : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
Original Publication: Hillsdale, N.J. : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, c1989-
MeSH-Schlagworte: COVID-19*/epidemiology , Linguistics* , Narration* , Mass Media* , Communication* , Health Communication*/methods, Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics ; Language ; Germany
Abstract: This study analyzes the linguistic rhetorical strategies utilized by the German-speaking Querdenken movement's alternative media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a critical discourse analysis (CDA) framework, we examine articles from alternative media sources frequently used by the movement's members in comparison with broadsheet and tabloid newspapers, utilizing dictionary-based linguistic analyses with linear mixed models to investigate the emotional tone, health-related language, and scientific terminology used in COVID-19 coverage. Our research reveals that Querdenken outlets use more scientific language and exhibit a more negative emotional tone, emphasizing health-related issues more strongly than other media sources. Additionally, a manual content analysis inspected the relationship between articles and cited sources, including their interpretative congruence and originality, uncovering a notable mismatch between sources cited and their representation in Querdenken outlets. These findings illuminate alternative media's important role in shaping discourse, especially in critical public health contexts. Our research contributes to a better understanding of how alternative media narratives operate and, in our study, co-opt the language of science. This study underscores the need for adequate science literacy and communication strategies to counteract misinformation and enhance public understanding of complex health issues.
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250303 Date Completed: 20251021 Latest Revision: 20251021
Update Code: 20251021
DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2025.2469936
PMID: 40028712
Datenbank: MEDLINE
Beschreibung
Abstract:This study analyzes the linguistic rhetorical strategies utilized by the German-speaking Querdenken movement's alternative media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a critical discourse analysis (CDA) framework, we examine articles from alternative media sources frequently used by the movement's members in comparison with broadsheet and tabloid newspapers, utilizing dictionary-based linguistic analyses with linear mixed models to investigate the emotional tone, health-related language, and scientific terminology used in COVID-19 coverage. Our research reveals that Querdenken outlets use more scientific language and exhibit a more negative emotional tone, emphasizing health-related issues more strongly than other media sources. Additionally, a manual content analysis inspected the relationship between articles and cited sources, including their interpretative congruence and originality, uncovering a notable mismatch between sources cited and their representation in Querdenken outlets. These findings illuminate alternative media's important role in shaping discourse, especially in critical public health contexts. Our research contributes to a better understanding of how alternative media narratives operate and, in our study, co-opt the language of science. This study underscores the need for adequate science literacy and communication strategies to counteract misinformation and enhance public understanding of complex health issues.
ISSN:1532-7027
DOI:10.1080/10410236.2025.2469936