This paper analyzes the discursive strategies employed by the leaders of Fridays for Future movement to effectively convey their messages and shape the audience's perceptions within the broader climate change discourse.
Climate change has been a significant subject, especially in recent years when its consequences are getting worse e.g. the global temperature is always breaking record. However, there exist various perspectives regarding climate change, such as resistance to change or active advocacy for environmental preservation. In this scenario, the significance of climate activists is growing. When talking about climate activists, the leaders of the Fridays for Future (FFF) movement, Greta Thunberg and Luisa Neuerbau, must be mentioned. This movement has gained substantial recognition and mobilized millions of individuals across the globe to demand urgent action on climate change. One of the ways they mobilize is through speeches, so how they use language as well as discursive strategies is one important factor in persuading the audience and showing their ideology. However, as far as I researched, there is no paper talking about the use of discursive strategies in their speeches.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical considerations
3. Methodology
4. The analysis of the discursive strategies in the speeches
4.1. Macro-analysis
4.2. Micro-analysis
4.2.1. Nomination strategies
4.2.2. Predication strategies
4.2.3. Argumentation strategies
4.2.4. Perspectivization strategies
4.2.5. Intensification/ mitigation strategies
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of speeches delivered by Fridays for Future leaders, specifically Greta Thunberg and Luisa Neubauer, to examine how they employ discursive strategies to convey their ideologies and persuade their audience to demand urgent climate action.
- Application of the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework to climate activism speeches.
- Investigation of macro-level political implications and media influence.
- Detailed micro-analysis of linguistic devices including nomination, predication, and argumentation.
- Exploration of rhetorical techniques like alarmism combined with calls for small-scale individual action.
- Assessment of how generational divides are constructed to exert pressure on political and economic elites.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2.1. Nomination strategies
One of the most commonly investigated within CDA is nomination strategies that are utilized in “constructing and presenting social actors” (Wodak 2007: 662). Firstly, the titles of the speeches shall be explained and investigated. The two speeches share a common characteristic in how they introduce their topics. In the speech titled “The disarming case to act right now on climate change,” the theme of climate change is explicitly stated, making it clear that it will be the central focus of the discourse. The phrase “act right now” conveys a sense of urgency, emphasizing the immediate need for action in addressing this issue. Similarly, the title “Why you should be a climate change activist” highlights the importance of a specific social actor, namely, the climate change activist. By using the word “you,” the title directly addresses the audience, emphasizing their relevance and involvement in the topic. The phrase “Why should you” suggests that the speech will provide reasons for embracing the role of a climate activist.
Additionally, the utilization of deictic pronouns is prevalent in their discourse. It is known that the choice of personal pronouns has the potential to influence the emotional tone conveyed in a sentence. Personal pronouns, encompassing first-person, second-person, and third-person pronouns, play a significant role as functional words that establish references. Even slight alterations in personal pronouns can profoundly impact the emotional experience of communication. When the first-person pronoun “I” is used, the sentence originates from the speaker, emphasizing their perspective or point of view (Qu et al. 2020: 235–236) e.g. “I think in many ways that…like before” (Thunberg 2018). Plus, the employment of the pronoun “we” serves to foster a sense of collective belonging between the speaker and the audience, thereby establishing a connection to the FFF movement “how we're going to save the future and the planet and everything else” (Neubauer, 2019). This inclusive linguistic strategy enhances audience engagement and facilitates their active participation and contribution (Cornell University).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of climate activism and establishes the research purpose of examining discursive strategies in speeches by FFF leaders.
2. Theoretical considerations: Defines discourse and details the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework used to uncover power relations and ideologies in communication.
3. Methodology: Describes the data selection criteria involving two specific speeches and the stepwise annotation process using CATMA.
4. The analysis of the discursive strategies in the speeches: Provides an in-depth examination of linguistic strategies, including macro-level political analysis and micro-level analysis of specific rhetorical techniques.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes findings regarding how climate change is framed as an urgent threat and how linguistic choices are used to mobilize audiences and critique political elites.
Keywords
Critical Discourse Analysis, Fridays for Future, Greta Thunberg, Luisa Neubauer, Climate Change, Discursive Strategies, Nomination, Predication, Argumentation, Perspectivization, Intensification, Mitigation, Political Rhetoric, Environmental Activism, Deictic Pronouns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research document?
The document provides a linguistic and rhetorical analysis of speeches given by the founders of the Fridays for Future (FFF) movement, Greta Thunberg and Luisa Neubauer.
What are the primary thematic fields addressed?
The work focuses on climate change discourse, political activism, the role of young people in environmental advocacy, and the critique of political and economic global elites.
What is the ultimate goal or research question of this study?
The paper aims to investigate how FFF leaders specifically utilize discursive strategies within their speeches to effectively convey their opinions and persuade their global audience to take climate action.
Which scientific method is utilized in this research?
The study employs the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework to examine language usage on both macro and micro levels, including annotation through the CATMA software.
What topics are discussed within the main chapters?
The main chapters cover the theoretical foundation of discourse and CDA, the methodology of speech transcription and annotation, and a detailed analysis of discursive strategies such as nomination, predication, argumentation, perspectivization, and intensification/mitigation.
How would you characterize this paper with keywords?
This paper is characterized by terms such as Critical Discourse Analysis, climate activism, discursive strategies, rhetoric, political rhetoric, and environmental communication.
How do the FFF leaders use personal pronouns to influence the audience?
The leaders strategically use first-person pronouns like "I" to emphasize their own perspective and "we" to foster a sense of collective belonging, while "you" is used to increase audience engagement and personal relevance.
In what way is the concept of "alarmism" balanced in their speeches?
The speakers combine alarmist language, such as describing the "sixth mass extinction," with an accessible "small action" repertoire that suggests convenient, actionable steps for the audience to follow.
How is the elite political class portrayed in the analyzed speeches?
International elites are portrayed as disconnected from reality and resistant to change, facing sharp criticism for their lack of accountability and their prioritization of short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability.
- Quote paper
- Ngoc Ha Nguyen (Author), 2024, Critical discourse analysis of the leaders of Fridays for Future's speeches: Extinction or action?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1496771
