Critical Political Discourse Analysisof Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs'Speech at the 58th Munich SecurityConference

Abstract

Critical Discourse Analysis is the analysis of ideology and power. It emphasizes obtaining the hidden meaning beyond a text
and explains how speakers/writers use the power of discourse to take the readers’/listeners’ attention. The present study was a
non-experimental descriptive study conducted in 2022 that investigated the salient linguistic features of the political speech of
Iran’s minister of foreign affairs at the 58th Munich Security Conference to search for his political attitudes and ideologies.
Fairclough’s CDA model was employed to investigate three inter-related analysis tactics and three dimensions of his discourse
(the object of evaluation , including verbal and visual, and the processes by which the object is produced and acquired, including
writing/ speaking/designing and reading/listening/viewing by human subjects, and the socio-historical conditions which govern
these processes). The data were selected from this conference’s video and were examined to check the word choice, personal
and plural pronouns I and We, and the modal verbs used. The findings showed that the Islamic Republic of Iran, Government,
Iran, and relations were among the most frequently used words to show his ideology about his nation and people. Moreover,
We was used more frequently than I to create a positive image for the country. Aware of the difference between the meanings
conveyed through these two pronouns, he preferred to avoid self-representation or speaking about himself as an individual to
prevent all the blaming on him. Considering the modal verbs, would was used more frequently than the others to express his
opinion and wishes to show medium politeness in his speech. This study could have implications for practitioners in the field to
increase critical thinking and raise awareness of learning and producing appropriate political language.