DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF NOVELS AND POLITICAL SPEECHES

Abstract

The present study applies the Critical Discourse Analysis technique to the analysis of how language generates ideology and power in two content areas of Pakistani discourse: political speeches; post-9/11 novels. The former is an analysis of the use of rhetorical devices in pre- and post-election speeches of fifteen Pakistani political leaders. The frequency of persuasive devices was quantified using qualitative content analysis in order to trace the variation within the electoral contexts. The second strand involves a comparative CDA of Home Boy by H. M. Naqvi and The Blind Mans Garden by Nadeem Aslam using the Socio-Cognitive approach of Van Dijk, which focuses on ideological frameworks, power relations and changes in political discourse following September 11. Results in both datasets indicate that language is strategically used to contribute to consent, exert power, and substantiate ideologies. Political speeches reveal contextually conditioned use of rhetorical devices to show the power and enlist the support, whereas the novels depict a significant post-9/11 shift with stereotypic attitudes, ethnic prejudice, cultural alienation, elite power abuse, and resistance of the marginalized groups. Combined, the texts demonstrate that Muslims are targets of hate crimes and derogatory media perceptions and racial discrimination, and how assimilation turns into alienation. The paper emphasizes the cognitive aspects of discourse interpretation and highlights the importance of language in influencing knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, norms, and values in Pakistani socio-political contexts