John Benjamins Publishing Company
Risky readings
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Abstract
In this chapter we take issue with the widespread view that overinterpretations and speculations are signs of weak research and tendentious treatment of data. This view is damaging to the study of political discourse as it encourages the reproduction of common sense and normalcy. In this chapter we therefore argue for the necessity of speculative readings and overinterpretations in studies of political discourse. Extreme and speculative readings of political language – readings that do too much to the data and that read too much into the texts – are crucial for the fine-grained analysis of the intricate ways in which soft power is exercised through discourse. Overinterpretations and speculations are, we suggest, essential for the political analysis of political discourse.
Abstract
In this chapter we take issue with the widespread view that overinterpretations and speculations are signs of weak research and tendentious treatment of data. This view is damaging to the study of political discourse as it encourages the reproduction of common sense and normalcy. In this chapter we therefore argue for the necessity of speculative readings and overinterpretations in studies of political discourse. Extreme and speculative readings of political language – readings that do too much to the data and that read too much into the texts – are crucial for the fine-grained analysis of the intricate ways in which soft power is exercised through discourse. Overinterpretations and speculations are, we suggest, essential for the political analysis of political discourse.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Speaking of and within the EU – Introduction 1
- Speaking to Europe 19
- Doing politics or doing media? A linguistic approach to European parliamentary debate 43
- Quantitative approaches to political discourse 65
- On what is not said and who said it 85
- Voices and identities 111
- The heart of Europe 135
- Images and roles of the European Union in the climate change debate 151
- Risky readings 171
- Index 189
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Speaking of and within the EU – Introduction 1
- Speaking to Europe 19
- Doing politics or doing media? A linguistic approach to European parliamentary debate 43
- Quantitative approaches to political discourse 65
- On what is not said and who said it 85
- Voices and identities 111
- The heart of Europe 135
- Images and roles of the European Union in the climate change debate 151
- Risky readings 171
- Index 189
