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Flags and fields: a comparative analysis of national identity in butter packaging in Sweden and the UK

Andersson, Helen and Smith, Angela (2021) Flags and fields: a comparative analysis of national identity in butter packaging in Sweden and the UK. Social Semiotics. ISSN 1035-0330

Item Type: Article

Abstract

Researchers have shown that it is common to use nationalist appeals when marketing food products. Research has also shown that geographical places play an important role in creating feelings of national identity and national belonging. To a much lesser Flags and fields: a comparative analysis of national identity in butter packaging in Sweden and the UK SOCIAL SEMIOTICS H. ANDERSSON AND A.SMITH ABSTRACT extent, research has shown how these “places” are represented and reproduced in the packaging of food products in specific national environments and to an even lesser extent, compared these representations and reproductions. In this article, using multimodal critical discourse analysis, we examine how butter packaging in Sweden and the UK represents nature in ways that create associations that are linked to the national identity that exists in each country. We argue that commercial interests, through their choice of packaging design, not only exploit cultural and political ideas and values but also reinforce them by connecting to prevailing national sentiments. In times of political and social change, this can be used to strengthen national affiliation and thus ally with political interests.

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More Information

Depositing User: Angela Smith

Identifiers

Item ID: 13862
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1080/10350330.2021.1968276
ISSN: 1035-0330
URI: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/13862
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/10350330.2021.1968276

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Catalogue record

Date Deposited: 19 Aug 2021 09:20
Last Modified: 19 Aug 2021 10:15

Contributors

Author: Helen Andersson
Author: Angela Smith
Author: Angela Smith
Author: Helen Andersson

University Divisions

Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries > School of Media and Communications

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