Full text loading...
GBP
-
Dissonant political discourse
-
View Affiliations Hide Affiliations
- Source: Journal of Language and Politics, Volume 9, Issue 2, Jan 2010, p. 175 - 194
-
- Previous Article
- Table of Contents
- Next Article
Abstract
This study develops and illustrates the notion of dissonant political discourse. The discourse of dissonance is to be found wherever there is public debate on controversial topics or on topics requiring a decision, notably in the political arena. Discourse of this kind is characterized by arguments demonstrating both how hard and how necessary it is to face up to any decision that will put the decision maker in an inconsistent position. Findings confirm that voices heard in the arena of political discourse make use of dissonant argument when experiencing difficulties in justifying decisions. Ironically, it is precisely the evidence of difficulties encountered by the speakers that shows how continuation of the joint debate is ensured
© 2010 John Benjamins Publishing Company