Pragmatics of Silence: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Strategic Silences in Political and Media Discourse

Subject Areas :

Weam Lateef Fenjan Alfuraiji ¹ , Ahmed Rahi Alhelal ^{2 *}

1 - Arabic Department, College of Basic Education, Kufa University, Iraq
2 - English Department, College of Basic Education, Altoosi University, Iraq

Received: 2025-04-29 Accepted : 2025-06-18 Published : 2025-08-25

Keywords: Silence, Political Discourse, Critical Discourse Analysis, Pragmatics, Algorithmic Moderation, Digital Media, Strategic Pauses.,

Abstract :

This research explores political and media silence as a strategic communication device in political speeches, media interviews, and online media, using a multi-dimensional research methodology involving discourse analysis, acoustic recordings, and perception surveys. Through discourse analysis of a large dataset including 300 hours of political speeches, 200 media interviews, and 50 hours of online media, the research maps silence as a strong, convincing, and ideological device. Political speeches use longer but less frequent pauses for rhetorical effect while media interviews use shorter but more frequent silences in an attempt to evade uncomfortable questions. Silence in new media is found as a means of algorithmic manipulation. Surveys in six countries show large differences in how silence is understood; American respondents identify it as strategic while Japanese respondents consider it evasive or cheating. Hiding behind conventional linguistic theories assuming silence is a communicative absence, this research posits instead that silence is an active and discourse-dependent discourse device. Implications in media literacy and internet governance are also outlined with a call for greater openness in algorithmic modulations and a rhetorical awareness of silence.

 

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