Orientalism and humour: Marginalization of the turks in 9GAG

Abstract

Edward Said undoubtedly didn't analyze the concept of orientalism through an Ottoman or Turkish perspective in the context of the relationship with the West. However, although orientalism isn't directly connected to Turkey, it indirectly concerns the country as the image of Turkey and East is the same in many articles, literary works, political texts, and orientalist pictures. The purpose of this study is to understand and analyze the orientalist viewpoint about the Turkish identity on "9GAG" internet site, one of the most known humour sites created after 2000 with the participatory culture. In this study, the two-level interpretation system of Roland Barthes, involving the systematic connotation and denotation and myth, is used. The images of Turks in caps are presented with signifiers such as Turban, Islamic tabard, beard, prayer beads, coif, and shalwar. Signified, on the other hand, is usually the element of East, religion/Islam, tradition, underdevelopment, and violence. The specifically designed Turkish image is used as a kind of actor that creates a sense of threat. © 2021, IGI Global.