Proximization Strategies of Legitimization and Persuasion in Selected Political Speeches on Covid-19

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of English Language, Faculty of Arts, Sohag University, Sohag, Arab Republic of Egypt

Abstract

This article deals with distance and closeness in selected political speeches on Coronvirus breakout. The study draws on Cap’s proximization model to manifest their discursive strategies; namely, Spatial (S), Temporal (T) and Axiological (A) domains. The theoretical framework for the analysis which is Cap’s proximization model is a multidisciplinary approach relating discursive, cognitive and pragmatic aspects of these speeches. In this paper we examine some of the properties of the speeches by some world leaders legitimating their measures and decisions against Corona. Legitimization and persuasion are two linguistic phenomena that are used by some politicians in public discourse. Proximization entails forcing construals of possible externals threats encroaching upon the nation.

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