Halim, Rohizah (2011) The language of identity in Malaysian politics: Towards a theory of Malaysian political discourse. In: Second Seminar on National Resilience (SNAR II), 18-19 October 2011, Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

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Abstract

The use of language in political discourse is generally understood to perform the function of controlling and managing a group of people. But the language of politics can be understood to have more important purpose – even if it often operates below the level of conscious thoughts – that is, as a tool for the exercise of power.How does language fulfill this function? To understand, one has to look at the properties of language; words, phrases, sentences, meanings.In the end, political discourse creates a group with shared identity that in turn influence political beliefs and actions.To exercise their political power, politicians and leaders create a sense of shared identity through the channels and platforms made available to them. In studying the language used by politicians, Chilton (2004) proposes a set of 12 aspects of linguistic realizations in political discourse that can help to unravel the effect political language has on the creation of a political identity.This paper attempts to hold up these 12 aspects against seven collected speeches from the six Prime Ministers of Malaysia to see whether they can lead to conceptualizing a framework that can explain Malaysian political discourse.This framework could be utilized towards a study of political texts in a uniquely Malaysian context.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Additional Information:	ISBN 978-967-0193-05-2 Anjuran: Institut Pemikiran Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Subjects:	J Political Science > JC Political theory
Divisions:	College of Arts and Sciences
Depositing User:	Mrs. Rohizah Halim
Date Deposited:	05 Aug 2013 06:43
Last Modified:	05 Aug 2013 06:43
URI:	https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/8710

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