When perlocutions become silent: politicians and the right of silence – a case study

Speechlessness: a Conceptual Framework

“…On the other hand, non-strategic speechlessness is primarily framed in terms of violated expectations and extreme emotions (Berger, 2004 ). Several other authors adopted this two-dimensional classification of speechlessness into a strategic (synonym: volitional or intentional ) and a non-strategic (synonym: non-volitional or non-intentional ) component (Ephratt, 2008 ; Kurzon, 2007 , 2020 ; Stringer et al, 2010 ). In his work on the functions and forms of silence in social interactions, Kurzon ( 2007 ) refers to Berger’s classification of strategic and non-strategic speechlessness.…”

“…The understanding of silence as speechlessness is based on definitions found in the literature. Kurzon ( 2020 ) defines non-intentional silence as a psychological origin that arises when an individual is “ shy ” or “ embarrassed ” (Kurzon, 2020 , p. 50). This may occur when they do not know the answer to a question and prefer to remain silent rather than admit their inability to answer (Kurzon, 1998 , 2020 ).…”

“…Kurzon ( 2020 ) defines non-intentional silence as a psychological origin that arises when an individual is “ shy ” or “ embarrassed ” (Kurzon, 2020 , p. 50). This may occur when they do not know the answer to a question and prefer to remain silent rather than admit their inability to answer (Kurzon, 1998 , 2020 ). Intentional silence, on the other hand, can be expressed with a goal of an individual to not answer a question regardless of internal or external factors (Kurzon, 2020 ).…”

“…Intentional silence, on the other hand, can be expressed with a goal of an individual to not answer a question regardless of internal or external factors (Kurzon, 2020 ). Kurzon ( 2020 ) cites the Sicilian Mafia’s code of silence (omertà 4 ) as an example of the distinction between intentional and unintentional silence. Internal causes for intentional silence are “[…] personal reasons , […]” (Kurzon, 2020 , p. 50).…”

“…Kurzon ( 2020 ) cites the Sicilian Mafia’s code of silence (omertà 4 ) as an example of the distinction between intentional and unintentional silence. Internal causes for intentional silence are “[…] personal reasons , […]” (Kurzon, 2020 , p. 50). Examples for an external cause of intentional speechlessness are situations, where another person is “ threatening ” the silenced individual (Kurzon, 2020 , p. 50).…”