John Fredy Gil Bonilla

ABSTRACT

This study explores how Theresa May and Boris Johnson make use of the dimensions of subjectivity and intersubjectivity in their post-electoral speeches. More specifically, these two dimensions relate to the degree to which the speaker assumes personal responsibility for the evaluation of the evidence or whether the assessment is 'potentially' shared by others (Nuyts 2001). Data for this research were gathered from 6 post-electoral speeches; 2 delivered by Theresa May and 4 by Boris Johnson. Theresa May’s post-electoral speeches were collected after 8th of June 2017, that is, once she was elected Prime Minister, and Boris Johnson’s post-electoral speeches were collected after 24th of July 2019, that is, once Theresa May resigned and Johnson was elected Prime Minister. The analysis focuses on how these two politicians assume responsibilities in their discourse. In particular, I want to shed light on the following research questions: (1) How do speakers present commitment and responsibility in their discourse? (2) Are there differences and/or similarities between one speaker and the other? On the basis of the results of this research, it can be concluded that despite that each of these politicians has the same ideological stance, the subjective and intersubjective expressions used seem to be different from one politician to the other.

Keywords

Subjectivity; intersubjectivity; responsibilities; discourse; post-electoral speeches

References

Nuyts, J. (2001). Epistemic Modality, Language, and Conceptualization: A Cognitive-Pragmatic Perspective. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.