COUNTRY PROFILE IN “NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC”

Abstract. COUNTRY as a concept in travel-media texts within the English version of “National Geographic” is traditionally represented through the following slots: history, travel, science, flora and fauna. The main functions performed by those slots embrace education, persuasion, upbringing and entertainment.

The above concept is treated in “National Geographic” as an abstract notion related to a specific territory viewed through the prism of a traveler’s mind. The reality represented deals with the correspondent’s experience focusing upon the most conspicuous phenomena, that are absolutely different from their own nature, lifestyle, food, clothes customs and traditions. Thus “National Geographic” correspondents depict the way the nation lives and reconstruct their national identity.

Thus, a particular culture “stores” the country images in the magazine. Both geographic and cultural specifies highlight particular stereotypes as for nature, lifestyles, meals, clothes, customs and traditions. Thus, the analysis undertaken reveals a system of the most evident political, social, economic, cognitive, mental, ecological and other images. A subjective view singles out local space and time perception to shape the image of a country or its specific regions.

COUNTRY as a concept exists both in static and dynamic forms to illustrate different spheres of society life, which reflect culture, nature and lifestyle.

The cultural development transforms the geographic space in the system of specific images. From the very start simple and rather primitive images related to applied aspects of the human activity represent the most vital society demands. Later on as a result of spiritual and artistic development create the real images of the country and its regions to satisfy the most transparent needs of the society.

Our analysis undertaken is grounded upon the fact (claimed by the publishers) that the “National Geographic” readers are interested in history and science; love nature and see its beauty in its diversities; value photography; are ardent travelers; want to enjoy well-proven topical and unique information on expeditions, archeological excavations; analyse this information; are eager to get familiarized with the information on writers, travelers presented in the same publication.

Such approach can either destroy or build any stereotype functioning about those countries.

Keywords: concept, country, National Geographic, slots, subslots