A Comparative Study of Political Discourse Features in English and Arabic

Abstract

This article is devoted to examine political discourse, in particular features of political speeches in English and Arabic Language. Political speeches are often shaped in a specific cultural and social context, using various linguistic features to persuade the public of the speaker’s goals. The study has two aims: firstly, it intends to highlight the prominent features of political discourse in English and Arabic. For example, the use of metaphor and metonymy, pronouns, intertextuality, repetition, style and code-switching. In addition, the study examines the way these features were employed by the speakers. Secondly, the comparison across English and Arabic language establishes similarities and differences between the features of political discourse in English and Arabic, and understands to what extent are the features of political discourse universal and shared between languages, and to further examine in which ways they differ. Three main features were identified as shared between the two languages: pronouns, repetition, and intertextuality. Even though there were shared features, it emerges from the study that these features, as well as others, are employed differently based on the language convention and the culture it exists in.

Rhetorical Strategies and Ideologies in Saudi TEDx talks

“…Fairclough, 2017). Several researchers have investigated the use of rhetorical strategies in Arabic, including rhetorical questions, repetition, figurative speech, religious phrases and pronouns (Koch, 1983;Johnstone, 1991;Ahluwalia & Burnkrant, 2004;Suchan, 2014;Shakour, 2014;Alduhaim, 2019). This study aims to identify the rhetorical strategies employed in ten Saudi TEDx talks to uncover how language in these talks shapes or is shaped by ideological assumptions and power relations.…”

“…Another linguistic strategy utilised to sway the audience is the use of religious phrases (Alduhaim, 2019). Speakers may use religious phrases to demonstrate power and authority, or to establish an emotional connection with the audience (Suchan, 2014).…”

“…Arabic speakers also use pronouns to steer the audience towards a favourable idea (Alduhaim, 2019). Like religious phrases, speakers may employ pronouns to bridge the gap between themselves and the audience, thereby creating an emotional bond with them (Wang, 2010).…”

“…Given the TED and TEDx topics' motivational and innovative nature (Gallo, 2014), this paper argues for the relevance of the TEDx talks presented in Saudi Arabia to the Saudi 2030 vision 2 , launched on April 25th, 2016, which aims to achieve a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. The talks analysed were delivered in 2017 and 2018, after the launch of the vision.…”

The Arab World and the Language of Politics

“…As seen in one of the recently published study, the use of the pronoun "they" in post-colonization Arabic political speeches is not the only common feature among them. It is suggested that there are similarities and common features among Arabic political speeches of different Arab countries such as intertextuality, repetition and the use of pronouns (Alduhaim, 2019).…”