FRAMING 'ISLAMIC TERRORISM' IN PUBLIC AND ACADEMIC DISCOURSE AFTER 9/11

Abstract

This paper has discussed on how ‘Islamic terrorism’ is presented in public and academic discourse after 9/11 attacks. This paper proceeds with framing 'Islamic terrorism' so as to explain how terrorism has been represented as an 'Islamic crime. This paper and its content were analysed using Performativity in speech act theory , and frame theory.  This paper looks at some examples of post-9/11 public and academic discourse. In addition, this paper has discussed the misrepresented discourse framed the mental model of 'Islamic terrorism' by using schemas to refer to the act, the criminals, and the motive. These schemas participate in activating the mental model of 'Islamic terrorism' when occurring in misrepresented discourse. The findings have shown that different discourses participated in framing the general knowledge of ‘Islamic terrorism. This has resulted in framing the mental representation of terrorism as an Islamic crime that is committed by Muslims, motivated by jihad, and targets the West. Therefore, it is concluded that, “Islamic terrorism” is a frame that produces a mental model of terrorism.