Framing the Queen’s head scarf
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Titus Ensink
Abstract
In this chapter, follow-ups in political communication are conceived in a broad sense, as any more or less systematic consequence of or result from previous politically relevant communicative utterances and events, mostly implying an evaluation of the previous act. Since political communication by its very nature aims at influencing the electorate, follow-ups in general will pursue this goal. An important technique for influencing the public is framing. A frame embodies a particular view on a specific topic, and entails an evaluation. The success of a frame hinges on its continual repetition, so as to make them part of tacit background knowledge among the public. Politicians must use attention attracting devices in their communication to invoke and establish a certain frame, and to contest competing frames. In this contribution a specific case from Dutch politics will be analyzed, exemplifying this approach: Queen Beatrix wore a head scarf during a visit to a mosque. Dutch politicians and media reacted to her dress from within either of two competing frames: either giving in to an oppressive religion or ideology, or being polite by complying with the host’s values. Politicians react almost exclusively to support their favorite frame.
Abstract
In this chapter, follow-ups in political communication are conceived in a broad sense, as any more or less systematic consequence of or result from previous politically relevant communicative utterances and events, mostly implying an evaluation of the previous act. Since political communication by its very nature aims at influencing the electorate, follow-ups in general will pursue this goal. An important technique for influencing the public is framing. A frame embodies a particular view on a specific topic, and entails an evaluation. The success of a frame hinges on its continual repetition, so as to make them part of tacit background knowledge among the public. Politicians must use attention attracting devices in their communication to invoke and establish a certain frame, and to contest competing frames. In this contribution a specific case from Dutch politics will be analyzed, exemplifying this approach: Queen Beatrix wore a head scarf during a visit to a mosque. Dutch politicians and media reacted to her dress from within either of two competing frames: either giving in to an oppressive religion or ideology, or being polite by complying with the host’s values. Politicians react almost exclusively to support their favorite frame.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Following up across contexts and discourse domains: Introduction ix
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Follow-ups in the new media
- Follow-ups in broadcast political discourse 3
- Intertextual references in Austrian parliamentary debates 25
- “I have nothing to do but agree” 57
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Follow-ups across speech events
- Bravo for this editorial! 83
- Metacommunicative follow-ups in British, German and Russian political webchats 109
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Follow-ups across speech events
- Framing the Queen’s head scarf 139
- Follow-ups in political talk shows and their visual framing 169
- Follow-ups in interpreter-mediated interviews and press conferences 205
- Follow-ups in pre-structured communication 231
- Index 263
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Following up across contexts and discourse domains: Introduction ix
-
Follow-ups in the new media
- Follow-ups in broadcast political discourse 3
- Intertextual references in Austrian parliamentary debates 25
- “I have nothing to do but agree” 57
-
Follow-ups across speech events
- Bravo for this editorial! 83
- Metacommunicative follow-ups in British, German and Russian political webchats 109
-
Follow-ups across speech events
- Framing the Queen’s head scarf 139
- Follow-ups in political talk shows and their visual framing 169
- Follow-ups in interpreter-mediated interviews and press conferences 205
- Follow-ups in pre-structured communication 231
- Index 263
