Alkahtani, M. B. . (2020). Failing to Prevail: A Discourse Analysis of Attitude in Mubarak’s Speeches During the Arab Spring. Asiatic: IIUM Journal of English Language and Literature, 14(1), 123-137. Retrieved from https://journals.iium.edu.my/asiatic/ind
This paper examines the attitude in President Hosni Mubarak’s speeches during the Arab
Spring Uprising in 2011. The appraisal concept discussed by Martin and White which is
based on Halliday’s Systematic Functional Linguistics (SFL) is adopted as a framework
for analysis. According to the appraisal framework, tenor (interpersonal metafunction) is
divided into subsections including Attitude. To be more specific, Attitude in the appraisal
concept is divided into three domains: affect, judgment and appreciation. Mubarak’s three
speeches in 2011 were analysed in terms of the linguistic devices used to reflect these
domains, such as pronouns, intensification, reiteration, lexical selection and metaphor.
The distribution of the use of each domain and frequencies are examined using charts
and diagrams. Results proved the significant impact of the speeches on the
demonstrations. Mubarak’s attitude changed throughout his speeches. His first speech
was unrealistic, whereas the second speech was less emotive and more assertive. His third
speech was full of subliminal authoritative messages and lack of sympathy
This paper examines the attitude in President Hosni Mubarak’s speeches during the Arab
Spring Uprising in 2011. The appraisal concept discussed by Martin and White which is
based on…