A Pragmalinguistic and Sociopolitical Analysis of Vague Language in Two Iranian Presidents’ International Interviews

Standard political discourse is replete with ambiguity and vagueness. Politicians frequently use vague language to hide their inadequate knowledge, show their low interest in the issue, and/or evoke emotion. This study reports on a qualitative content analysis of vagueness in two Iranian presidents' political interviews within a pragmalinguistic and sociopolitical paradigm. The data consisted of nine question-answer exchanges extracted from seven internationally live broadcast interviews. A total of ۵۷ instances of vague language use were analyzed in terms of ۲۱ pragmalinguistic vagueness strategies. Implications are that vagueness in political discourse is motivated by a multiplicity of factors such as face management, sociopolitical and situational adaptation, conflict avoidance, and personal characteristics of the interviewers and the respondents. Vagueness was also found to be a sign of diplomatic prudence or wisdom.

Keywords:

Political discourse , pragmalinguistic paradigm , vagueness strategies , Political discourse , pragmalinguistic paradigm , vagueness strategies