A Critical Discourse Analysis of Political Speeches: A CDA examination of Imran’s and Arden’s Speeches at the UN and General Assembly

Abstract

This research uses Halliday's systematic functional linguistics to examine the use of language for political effect in Arden and Imran's statements to the UN. The transitivity system and modality are primarily used in the analysis to show how two prime ministers', political speeches can combine both ideology and power. In other words, they may use language to communicate their strength, prowess, and policies; also, the general public can more easily understand the political consequences of these statements. Using the transitivity approach from Halliday's Systemic-Functional Grammar, this research study analyses the transitivity process of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Jacinda Ardern's UN (United Nations) speeches. The distribution and purposes of six transitivity processes are examined in the official speeches using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. It is discovered that out of the six processes, the speeches are heavily dominated by relational processes (57.2 and 44.9%) in both speeches. The second most prevalent category is material processes (20.9 and 33.2%), followed by existential processes (3.2 and 4.7%), behavioral processes (1.1 and 1.6%), and mental processes (14.3 and 12.2%); verbal processes (3 and 3.1%) are seldom ever mentioned in speech. The study also demonstrates the comparison of each phase. When describing new policies the government will implement or painting a dismal picture of the country, Prime Minister Imran and Arden regularly cited material processes. They also develop a new vision of the country via relational techniques.