Media Determine the Situation of Women: On the Evolution of Women’s Roles, Functions, and Positions in the Shifting Discourse Networks by Kittler

WANG Yingji

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Chinese Journal of Journalism & Communication ›› 2023, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (12) : 28-45.

Media Determine the Situation of Women: On the Evolution of Women’s Roles, Functions, and Positions in the Shifting Discourse Networks by Kittler

  • WANG Yingji
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Abstract

In Kittler’s view, spoken language is a means for gender distinction, whereas the typewriter is a medium for gender neutrality. By inverting the gender of writing, the typewriter has brought about a de-gendered approach to writing, reversing the material base of discourse networks. As a result, traditional gender metaphors have vanished. Kittler analyzed the changes in the role and status of women in literary circulation between the 1800 and 1900 discourse networks using the theories of Foucault and Lacan. The mother, as an abstract spiritual metaphor, is excluded from the real production process of the 1800 discourse network and is in both “input” and “output” positions in the 1800 discourse network. In the 1900 discourse network, the typewriter caused the collapse of the male monopoly on writing, and women began to enter as secretaries and typists, occupying the core of text processing and production. Although Kittler is not a feminist, his research on women based on media materiality and discourse networks has also provided new insights and contributed new theoretical perspectives and ideas to feminism.

Key words

Kittler / media / the situation of women / discourse network / location transmutation

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WANG Yingji. Media Determine the Situation of Women: On the Evolution of Women’s Roles, Functions, and Positions in the Shifting Discourse Networks by Kittler. Chinese Journal of Journalism & Communication. 2023, 45(12): 28-45

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Funding

This article is a phased achievement of the National Social Science Foundation’s major project “Archaeological Research on Chinese Media from the Perspective of Civilization Diversity” (No. 20&ZD329).
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