This study investigates how Disney's two versions of Mulan (1998 and 2020) portray gender, power, and assigned gender roles, focusing on the language used by male and female characters. The researchers aim to understand how conversational strategies and the content of dialogue contribute to the portrayal of gender and societal roles. The introduction highlights the significant influence of media, especially children's movies, on shaping children's perceptions of gender. It emphasizes the pervasive nature of gender stereotypes in media, particularly within Disney productions, and their potential to negatively impact children's development. A key focus is on the subtle, yet impactful, ways gender stereotypes are enacted through characters' verbal interactions. The study also acknowledges the growing influence of the Chinese market on Hollywood productions and the need to understand how this influence affects the portrayal of gender in American-made films. This research bridges a gap in the literature by focusing on the linguistic aspect of gender portrayal in Disney movies, comparing two versions of the same story produced at different times to explore the impact of the evolving global market, specifically the influence of Chinese ideals on a film primarily aimed at a Western audience, and also exploring the potential effects of Western feminist thought on a culturally specific story.

The literature review examines existing research on gender stereotypes in children's media, focusing on the impact of Disney Princess movies on children's gender perceptions and behavior. Studies cited demonstrate that Disney films often perpetuate gender stereotypes, with male characters portrayed as adventurous and powerful, while female characters are often depicted as passive and reliant on male characters for rescue. However, some recent research indicates a shift toward more positive portrayals of female characters in newer Disney films, showcasing more diversity and less reliance on stereotypical gender roles. This review sets the stage for the current study by establishing a foundation of existing knowledge regarding gender representation in Disney productions and highlighting the need to further analyze how language itself contributes to the perpetuation or subversion of gender stereotypes.

The study employs a diachronic analysis of two versions of Disney's Mulan: the 1998 animated version (Mulan-1) and the 2020 live-action version (Mulan-2). The data consisted of full-length transcripts of both movies, created from screenplays. The researchers used inductive content analysis to identify dialogue related to gender and power dynamics. They coded conversational strategies (commands/directives, compliments, hedges, minimal responses, questions, tag questions) to explore how they index hegemonic heteronormative discourse. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using Cohen's Kappa, showing excellent agreement between the two researchers. The frequency of these strategies in male and female dialogue was compared between the two movies, followed by an analysis of the content of the dialogue itself, focusing on how it shapes representations of gender, power, and assigned roles. Finally, this analysis considered the influence of both American and Chinese cultural ideals on the portrayal of gender in the two versions of the film. The transcripts were divided into scenes based on location changes, facilitating comparison between the versions. Jefferson's transcription system was used as a guide. The methodology prioritizes careful analysis of the spoken language and aims to understand its implicit and explicit meaning within the context of the film's storyline and cultural backdrop.

The analysis reveals a power imbalance in both Mulan versions, with male characters having more speaking roles and conversational turns. In Mulan-1, questions were equally distributed between genders, but in Mulan-2, male characters asked more questions, though the types of questions used reflected a shift; men asked more for suggestions, while women asked for opinions, suggesting a subtle power shift. Hedges were used more by female characters, especially in Mulan-2, often expressing uncertainty about arranged marriages, but also confidence in helping men. Commands and directives were primarily used by male characters, reflecting their assigned status. Minimal responses were notably less frequent in Mulan-2. Compliments were used more often by males, mostly towards Mulan only after she did something exceptional, however, in Mulan-2 males also complimented female characters on their appearance, raising potential interpretations of sexism. Analyzing the content of dialogue, the researchers found that both films portrayed women's roles primarily as wives, mothers, and providers of family honor through marriage. The concept of "honor" and "dishonor" were closely associated with family, country, and marriage. Mulan-2 introduced the theme of "chi," a special ability or spirit that was presented as exclusive to males, further reinforcing gender inequalities. The analysis also reveals more instances of misogynistic language in Mulan-2, with the word "witch" frequently used to denigrate female characters. Mulan-2 showed some changes that could be attributed to the influence of the CCP, such as the reintroduction of Mulan's sister, highlighting the two-child policy. Other changes, such as the increased independence of female characters, reflect an adaptation to American audiences and the evolving perceptions of gender roles. The paper notes a decrease in the overall amount of male dialogue and the use of traditionally masculine conversational strategies in Mulan-2, suggesting a move towards a more balanced portrayal of genders in conversation.

The findings suggest that while both Mulan versions perpetuate a patriarchal framework where women's primary value is tied to marriage and family, Mulan-2 exhibits subtle changes reflecting both American and Chinese influences. The subtle shift in power dynamics in conversations, reflected in the types of questions asked and the increased use of hedges by female characters, indicates some progress towards more balanced gender portrayals. The researchers highlight the persistence of misogynistic language and the reinforcement of traditional gender roles through the concept of "chi" in Mulan-2 as elements that ultimately counteract any perceived progress. The discussion examines how the specific choices in language and character interactions contribute to the overall narrative and its potential impact on viewers. This section relates the observations to broader discussions about power dynamics, gender stereotypes, and the evolving nature of masculinity and femininity in the context of globalized media.

This study contributes to the understanding of gender representation in children's media by analyzing the linguistic aspects of gender portrayals in two versions of Mulan. The subtle shifts in the use of language between the two versions, along with the continued reinforcement of patriarchal structures, highlight the complexities of gender representation in globally influenced media. Future research could explore other Disney films, use multiple language versions of Mulan for comparison, or analyze other meaning-making modalities beyond language, such as visuals and music.

The study's limitations include focusing on a single story, using only the English-language versions, and concentrating primarily on dialogue analysis. The research doesn't account for other narrative elements like visuals or music, nor does it consider broader audience reception and interpretations of the films. Further research could address these limitations by broadening the scope of analysis and considering audience responses to the films across various cultural contexts.