MS or MPhil

Permanent URI for this community

https://escholar.umt.edu.pk/handle/123456789/10801

Browse

Browsing MS or MPhil by Author "Ammara Ismail"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Critical discourse analysis of pre & post election speeches of pakistani politicians through the implementation of fairclough’s model
    (UMT Lahore, 2019) Ammara Ismail
    Political discourse and political rhetoric is an important area of study in linguistics and provides insights into the political agendas, values, and practices of politicians. This study analysed the rhetorical devices used in election campaigns speeches (2018) and victory speeches (2013 & 2018) by two eminent politicians of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan. A sample of four speeches was chosen to collect the data for analysis. A critical discourse analysis approach based on Fairclough’s 3-dimensional model was used to specifically analyze the rhetorical devices such as figure of speech or tropes and schemes, language organization, structure and expression and public influence of the speeches. The three dimensions of textual analysis, analysis of discursive and social practices in Fairclough’s model allowed a detailed and contextually relevant analysis along with a comparison of the two politicians in their linguistic expression.The researcher attempted to uncover the ideologies, which worked behind certain speeches:how various linguistic devices are used to project or attain political power and specific goals as well as to explore the power of particular words in transforming people's perceptions and political opinions. Findings indicate that political discourse is often intentionally designed to project particular ideologies that are always implicitly embedded in the discourse. The study found many differences in language choices and extensive and variable use of rhetorical devices and linguistic strategies employed by the politicians for convincing the public to pursue their hidden agendas. Some aspects of their personalities were also found reflecting in their language during the speeches. The mood of both politicians was aggressive in the election speeches. Nawaz Sharif, with a court verdict against him, was critical of the judiciary while asking for public support.  Being a seasoned politician, the word Nawaz Sharif was central in Nawaz Sharif speeches, highlighting his previous services and love relationship with the public. On the other hand, Imran Khan as a famous cricketer and foreign educated, new politician seems to be called for public support through an attempt of creating awareness and emphasizing thinking and reasoning about previous governments’ decisions and actions and the country’s current state. The public was the central focus. The analysis revealed that Nawaz Sharif’s speeches contained more repetition, allusion, hyperbole, pauses, specific adjectives, questioning, pleading, flattery, provocation, anguish, insult, and an appeal to people’s emotionality, while Imran Khan used more counterarguments, specific adjectives, similes and metaphors, stresses, mimicry, allusion, stresses, and an appeal to people’s beliefs and reasoning. It seems that use of rhetorical devices was more or less context dependent. The study provides useful information about the importance of language in political rhetoric, its impact on the audience and the career of politicians. Speeches by other politicians and the change in language use over time and the power dynamics within these language choices are important areas for further studies.