The role of prototext and metatext in journalistic discourse: a semiotic approach

Abstract

This scientific study examines the relationship and transformation processes between the prototext and the metatext in the context of rapidly developing online media. The purpose of the research is to determine the degree of correspondence between news texts published on information platforms and their original sources, to systematize the mechanisms of structural, semantic, and pragmatic changes within the text, and to identify the features of interpretation in media discourse. The research idea is based on proving that reconstructing, compressing, and modifying the semantic tone of information has become a common practice in the media space and significantly affects the quality of information.

The methodology of the study relies on comparative examination, content analysis, discourse analysis, as well as structural and semantic analysis. The research material includes Kazakh- and Russian-language news texts published on Kazakhstani information platforms, their original prototexts, and the editorially processed metatexts.

The findings demonstrate that transformations such as content compression, modification of factual information, and the introduction of evaluative tone are frequently observed in media materials. It is also identified that the excessive use of machine translation tools reduces semantic accuracy and leads to inconsistencies.

Providing scientifically grounded recommendations for journalists and editors regarding the preservation of semantic accuracy and linguistic norms during information processing defines the practical significance of the study. Furthermore, it is revealed that excessive dependence on translation in the media space brings forward the issue of strengthening professional responsibility.