Language and Politics

Introduction

Rationale Text Medium Setting Socio-cultural context Ideology Linguistic Features

Rationale

5 texts on political language

Wide readership and availability

Local news relevant to the area

Development over time - any differences in presentation

Distinct linguistic features

Text medium

Local Paper

Delivered free

Affects local people directly

Text versus radio or TV

Setting

Front Page

Headlines

Map

Follow through

Socio-cultural context

Global recession

Economy

Unity

Ideology

Democracy• Chilton (2004, p.3)

“On the one hand, politics is viewed as a struggle for power, between those who seek to assert their power and those who seek to resist it.”

“ On the other hand, politics is viewed as co-operation, as the practices and institutions that a society has for resolving clashes of interest over money, influence, liberty and the like.”

Linguistic Strategies

De-legitimising Presenting in a negative light - discrediting

Otherization “them” and “us”

Rodney versus the rest. Mayor of Rodney contradicts

“the others”

Linguistic Strategies

Legitimising

The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance.

Auckland Transition Agency Reliability of source

“As reported in the Rodney Times on August 27, a week before the decision was announced...” and “As predicted in the Times report ..”

Linguistic Strategies

Dissimulation

Vagueness versus certainty

“There are no reliable estimates but they are certain to be nearer the top of the scale, or even higher”.

Conclusion

Political language has its own distinctive

settings and linguistic strategies to

achieve its purpose.

References

Chilton, P. (2004). Analysing political discourse: Theory and practice. London: Routledge

Chilton, P. & Shaffner, (1997). Discourse and politics. In T. v.Dijk (ed.), Discourse as social interaction (pp 206-230). London: Sage

Collins Cobuild English, (1990). Glasgow: Scotland: HarperCollins.

References

Study Guide (2009). Language, discourse and power. Palmerston North: Massey University.