Critical Discourse Analysis of Tahir-ul-Qadri Dharna 2014 Speeches

Abstract

This study aims to explore and uncover power play in Dharna 2014 speeches of Tahir-ul-Qadri. The study has followed the theoretical perspective of power (Fairclough; 2003) in its twodimensions i.e. power within discourse and power behind discourse. The research method applies thematic analysis and utilizes Fairclough‘s three dimensional model (1989) as data analyzing tool. Data is collected by using convenient sampling. All the speeches of Dharna 2014 which are available on the internet are analyzed by considering Textual, Discursive and Societal levels of discourse provided by Fairclough 3D Model. The study discusses power within discourse and power behind discourse by considering the mechanism of communication, mechanism of inculcation and universal acceptance. The findings established that discourses has the capacity to form and being formed by social practices. The key findings in case of power within discourse include that the speaker showed the use of pronoun ‗I‘ in order to show his power and by using the pronoun ‗we‘ he gained the support of the audience in order to win their hearts and reflect this as a power on the rulers. The speakers explained in detail the unjust rule of the government by using differences linguistic tools like modal verbs, vocabulary, transitivity, interdisocurse etc. which are part of textual, discursive and societal levels of Fairclough three dimensional model (1989).Moreover, in case of power behind discourse, the key findings include the power of west constitution of Pakistan and Islam in the speakers‘ speeches. This research would enable common public of Pakistan to understand their leader in terms of the concept of power by comprehending the meaning that language conveys