Applying Critical Discourse Analysis Techniques on some Arabic Political Speeches

Abstract

This paper is an attempt at applying techniques of critical discourse analysis (henceforth CDA) techniques on some local Arabic political speeches, using van Dijk (1995-2006) as a model for data analysis. The study aims at investigating the way social power, abuse, are exercised by politicians in their speeches. The analysis reveals that most of the techniques related to the meaning, argumentative and rhetorical levels have been employed in Al-Abadi speech delivered on the occasion of Kurdistan Region Referendum on 25th Sept.2017 to persuade the audience of his ideopolitical agenda.