A multimodal critical discourse analysis of Iraqi political election posters

Abstract EN

The current paper investigates the 2018 Iraqi parliamentary election posters as multimodal texts.

It explores both the linguistic and visual modes to reveal the hidden ideologies, religious beliefs, and power relations that dominate the selected data through slogans, eye gaze, directionality, social distances, and logos.

It also aims to explain how and why these modes are used in meaning–making.

Thus, an eclectic model that involves three models is chosen to analyze the selected data linguistically and visually as follows: first, Kress and van Leuween’s model (2006): The Grammar of Visual Design, second, Fairclough’s model (1989, 2001): Language and Power.

van Leuween’s model(2008): The Visual Representation of Social Actor.

The paper sets forth the hypothesis that the depiction of Iraqi candidates as the representatives of their parties and supporters relies on their visual appearance more than their slogans.

In accordance with the hypothesis, it is concluded that the Iraqi candidates use their dresses, (Arabic outfit/al- eiqal) and hair veils (hijab) to express their religious beliefs, nationality, and ideological tendencies.

Linguistically, the Iraqi candidates use assertive language to address the voters.

It is also founded that the Iraqi political election posters consider the gender differences between the candidates.