2. Introduction
A discourse which is itself political.
An analysis of political discourse as simple an example
discourse type, without explicit reference to political
content or political context.
All discourse may be considered political (Shapiro, 1981).
Being concerned with formal/informal political contexts
and political actors
3. Studying Political Discourse
Emphasis the Greeks -> From Cicero (1971) to Aristotle
(1991)
The general idea continue today.
Political discourse itself.
4. Political Discourse: Representation and
Transformation
Nowadays the representation and transformation related
to what Orwell state.
Political potencial of the language.
Well- known article named “Politics and the English
Language”
“Political speech and writing are largely the defense of
indefensible”
Concerned with the use of use of english and the users.
Clear concept appear -> manipulation
5. Syntax, Translation, and Truth
Montgomery -> the system of “transitivity”
Material
process
Action
Transaction
Event
Actions
The solider fired
(Actor) (material process: action)
Transactions
The soldier killed innocent
villagers (Actor) (material
process: transaction) (goal)
Event
Innocent villagers died
(goal: material process)
(material process: event)
6. Politics, Representation, and Textual
Production
Utterances within the context of political output are rarely
grammatical cases.
Historical framework.
Hansard Official Report, November 1, 1993: 35
Significance of single words or phrases.
Ideological schemas in confirming or reconfirming
particular views of the world. (Stubbs, 1990; 1996:95)
Relativism affects everyone.
Active v/s Passive
7. A Word about Politics
Syntactic selection affects interpretation
Lexical choice
Theory of relevance
* Example: Consultation (British vs Irish)
Organization of everyday words within the discourse of
speechmaking
Most of the time the context of the word carries the
political message
Structure have a little effect on interpretation
8. Sounds Political
Political phonology
Political loading
Phonological variables
Link between politics and phonology
* Example:
Margaret Thatcher
Gerry Adams
Politicians can choose to sound ideological/political
