This book is a useful introduction to concepts and methods in the analysis of political discourse, which is especially welcome at a time when the relationship between politics and language is attracting increasing interest.
- Norman Fairclough,
The book is organized in such a way as to update readers on contemporary linguistic scrutiny into political discourse and to provide a methodological review. [...] The volume deftly shows some of the ways the political world is constructed not only through, but also by language.
- Mirjana N. Dedaic, Georgetown University in Review for International Politics,
Through its presentation of varied analytical approaches, this book offers a starting point for a needed general reflection on the study of political discourse.
- Elisabeth Le, University of Alberta, Canada, on Linguist List Vol. 14-1156 (April 2003),
They are also articulate mammals.
How are these two aspects linked?
This is a question that is only beginning to be explored. The present collection makes a contribution to the investigations into the use of language in those situations which, informally and intuitively, we call ‘political’. Such an approach is revealing not only for politics itself but also for the human language capacity.
Each chapter outlines a particular method or analytic approach and illustrates its application to a contemporary political issue, institution or mode of political behaviour. As a whole, the collection aims to give a sample of current research in the field. It will interest those who are beginning to carry the research paradigm forward, as well as provide an introduction for newcomers, whether they come from neighbouring or remote disciplines or from none.