POLITICAL REPRESENATION OF CARTOONS PUBLISHED IN PAKISTANI ENGLISH NEWSPAPERS: A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

Cartoon art is an essential aspect of political and social sarcasm, especially in print media, where it is strategically employed to construct and shape public opinion. Though cartoons represent an overstatement of a person or an event for producing a humorous effect, they highlight the harsh realities (i.e., social injustices, social evil, and corruption) of a society in an indirect and light manner. This study aims to explore the linguistic and semiotic aspects of cartoons in the editorial section of Pakistani English newspapers. More specifically, the study explores how Pakistani English newspapers’ editorials make a satirical use of cartoon art to highlight the political issues; what political issues have been projected through cartoons; how the linguistic and semiotic choices within a cartoon art project its drawer’s perception; and how these choices indirectly construct public opinion. The study followed qualitative methodology in exploring three cartoons collected through random sampling techniques from three Pakistani English newspapers Dawn, The Nation and Daily Times. The data is analyzed by using the theory of Charles Sanders Peirces (1860) Triadic Semiosis. The results indicate that the drawers expertly display their artistic skills in portraying a harsh political issue in an indirect way— satire and humor. These cartoons shape the worldview of the readers; therefore, they are an important aspect of print media editorials. The study is significant in highlighting aspects of cartoon art for disseminating information and constructing public opinions.