Tuesday 23 January, 13.30
Old Library, All Souls
(Re)shaping Ukrainian Identity Through Linguistic Choices During the Full-Scale Russo-Ukrainian War
Dr Iryna Halasa, West Ukrainian National University and KCL
Linguistic implications form vital insights for understanding the nature of war discourse. They also demonstrate ways in which language is manipulated in order to achieve definite goals.
The researcher will interpret President Zelenskyy’s Independence Day speech presented on August 24, 2023. It is analyzed from the perspective of critical discourse analysis. The research questions are: What function, if any, does the speech of Volodymyr Zelenskyi have on the Ukrainian audience? And what linguistic means, if any, does the Ukrainian President deliberately use to achieve his goals while interacting with the Ukrainians?
Taking into account V.Zelenskyy’s former career, discourse has always been an important tool to influence and manipulate the audience. Kvartal 95 humor, sarcasm and satire were the key means to reach the recipients before his presidential ambitions. And his political speeches in the role of the President became the main source of information and support to the Ukrainians during the full-scale invasion of Russia to Ukraine. In this study we make an attempt to demonstrate four main functions of the President’s speeches to the nation during Russo-Ukrainian war which include unifying, supportive/encouraging, sympathetic, and glorious functions. We also interpret his Independence Day speech from the perspective of personal pronouns usage.
Iryna Halasa, PhD, Associate Professor at West Ukrainian National University, Ternopil, Ukraine. She is currently holding the British Academy Researchers at Risk Award and working on her research project as a visiting scholar at King’s College London, UK. She obtained her PhD from Ivan Franko National University of L’viv in 2011. Her professional development is confirmed by numerous internships in such countries as the USA, the UK, Sweden, Hungary, Poland and others. Harvard University scholarship represents one of the most important achievements of the researcher. Iryna Halasa’s research interests include peculiarities of political discourse functioning and Russo-Ukrainian war vocabulary interpretation.
Seminars at 13.30, Old Library, All Souls
All are welcome, no need to book.
