Follow-ups in Political Discourse

This book explores the various forms and functions of follow-ups in a range of political speech events. Follow-ups are conceptualized as communicative acts, in and through which a prior communicative act is accepted, challenged, or otherwise negotiated by ratified participants in the exchange or by third parties. The broad view suggested here accommodates a large variation in the functions of follow-ups, e.g. positioning, third-party involvement, evaluation and argumentation, ratification, support, challenge and attendance to face wants. These variations are explored in a range of cultural environments, such as the UK, The Netherlands, Israel and France. Inter-cultural exchanges are studied through the analysis of diplomatic discourse, interpreting and cross-cultural comparison.

Chaoqun Xie and Ying Tong, Fujian Normal University / Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, in Functions of Language 26:2 (2019):
A meticulous and thorough method for analysing one single yet complex practice in political discourse, written by a team of prominent scholars from different academic backgrounds, this book contributes not only to intellectual curiosity but also to the concerns of political activists.