Doublespeak in Obama's political speech : a pragmatic study

Abstract EN

The current study addresses doublespeak in the political field.

It focuses on the language of politicians from pragmatic point of view, how they use doublespeak in their speeches, their intentions behind using it and non-adherence of Grice's cooperative principle and maxims (quality, quantity, relevance, and manner).

The study discusses the origin and use of doublespeak that is extensively employed to mislead people and distort the reality.

Focus is given to the context which is essential in eliciting what is covered up by the politicians who manipulate the language to achieve their cunning goals and speak about the unspeakable.

The study shows doublespeak as a violation case of Grice's maxims.

It analyzes some Obama's speeches as far as doublespeak is concerned and shows how his speech almost violates all Grice's maxims and the purposes behind using doublespeak such as to deform the reality, to make the bad look good and vice versa.

He sometimes uses doublespeak in his speeches in an attempt to appear good, embellish his public face, misrepresent the reality, and evade saying the truth.