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Political Discourse

Political discourse analysis seeks to understand how language is used to manipulate political views. Orwell argued that language can be used to manipulate thought for political purposes. Van Dijk explains that political discourse analysis examines the language used by politicians. Wilson's discussion showed that political discourse can be analyzed at all linguistic levels, from word choice to pragmatics. Biden's election victory speech effectively used simple, empathetic language focusing on active verbs and repetition of "America" to unite the country. The role of language and discourse is intrinsically political.

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47 views

Political Discourse

Political discourse analysis seeks to understand how language is used to manipulate political views. Orwell argued that language can be used to manipulate thought for political purposes. Van Dijk explains that political discourse analysis examines the language used by politicians. Wilson's discussion showed that political discourse can be analyzed at all linguistic levels, from word choice to pragmatics. Biden's election victory speech effectively used simple, empathetic language focusing on active verbs and repetition of "America" to unite the country. The role of language and discourse is intrinsically political.

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Kate Tacogue
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One of the core goals of political discourse analysis is to seek out the ways in which language choice is

manipulated for specific political effect. Orwell (1996) supported this idea on his article entitled Politics
and the English Language wherein he argued that in political perspective, language may be used to
manipulate thought. On the other hand, Van Dijk (1997) explains, PDA can refer either to the analysis of
political discourse, defined as the text and talk of politicians within overtly political contexts, or to a
political. In Wilson’s discussion, we have clearly seen that almost all levels of linguistics are involved,
most samples of political discourse may be mapped onto the various levels of linguistics from lexis to
pragmatics.

The scope of discourse in politics differs in intent and objective, we do discourse because our intent is to
win the people who is listening to us. And that intention was being fulfilled by the new US Presidential
elect Joe Biden. It was very evident how he used language to beat Trump. Biden’s empathetic and
impactful speech captured the hearts of Americans wherein he used plain and simple language that
understood by the literate population. The speech also contains very few adverbs and clichés instead
Biden has placed more importance on active verbs which enhance this punchy, direct communication.
Biden emphasized in his speech that this is a victory for America. It helps that he states the word
‘America’ for thematically, it is about a uniting America. Of course, this is a feature of rhetoric.
Repetition is used in literature but also in politics. It helps the audience remember and recognize the
importance of the key message. Indeed, role of discourse plays in a range of political contexts and
practices, as well as the intrinsically political nature of discursive practice.

References:

Orwell, G. (1969) Politics and the English language. In W. F. Bolton and D. Crystal (eds), The English
Language John Wilson Vol. 2: Essays by Linguists and Men of Letters, 1858–1964. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 217–19.

Van Dijk, T. (1989) Structures of discourse and structures of power. In J. A. Anderson (ed.),
Communication Yearbook 12. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 163–83.

Van Dijk, T. (1993) The principles of critical discourse analysis. Discourse and Society 4(2), 249–83.

Dunmire, P. (2012) Political Discourse Analysis: Exploring the Language of Politics and the Politics of
Language. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263601538_Political_Discourse_Analysis_Exploring_the_Lan
guage_of_Politics_and_the_Politics_of_Language

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