Visual arguments and discriminatory discourse: Comparing modes and affordances in representations of Mainland Chinese in Hong Kong

In the context of what has been referred to as the ‘Mainlandization’ of Hong Kong since 2003 (Yew & Kwong, 2014), I consider the affordances offered through different modalities by comparing the written linguistic mode to that of visual arguments used in a local political advertisement. The choice of modalities available as a means of expressing familiar topoi found in discriminatory texts provides alternative options for recontextualizing (van Leeuwen, 2008) discriminatory practices. I show that the affordances of specific modalities can be used to express certain topoi and/or support those expressed through other modalities.