An Analysis of Discursive Strategies in Political Discourse: The Case of Russian –Ukrainian War

Öz

This study analyzed the discursive strategies employed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in their public speeches concerning the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in 2022. By applying the Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA), a method within Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the research identified how each leader used language to construct narratives, legitimize actions, and mobilize support both domestically and internationally. The analysis covered five key discursive strategies: nomination, predication, argumentation, perspectivization, and intensification. A qualitative research design was employed, based on a sample of 10 speeches. The findings revealed that while both leaders constructed in-groups and out-groups to solidify their positions, Putin’s rhetoric emphasized self-defense and national identity through negative portrayals of the West and Ukraine. In contrast, Zelensky’s discourse centered on national unity, defense, and appeals for international solidarity. The study contributed to a deeper understanding of political communication during conflicts, revealing how language served as a strategic tool in shaping public perceptions and legitimizing actions during wartime.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Discursive strategies
• Vladimir Putin
• Volodymyr Zelensky
• Russo-Ukrainian War
• political communication

Siyasi Söylemde Söylemsel Stratejilerin Analizi: Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı Örneği

Öz

Bu çalışmada, Rusya Devlet Başkanı Vladimir Putin ve Ukrayna Devlet Başkanı Volodymyr Zelensky'nin 2022 yılında başlayan Rusya-Ukrayna savaşına ilişkin kamuya açık konuşmalarında kullandıkları söylemsel stratejiler analiz edilmiştir. Eleştirel Söylem Analizi (CDA) kapsamında bir yöntem olan Söylem-Tarihsel Yaklaşımı (DHA) uygulayan araştırma, her iki liderin de anlatılar inşa etmek, eylemleri meşrulaştırmak ve hem yurt içinde hem de uluslararası alanda desteği harekete geçirmek için dili nasıl kullandıklarını tespit etmiştir. Analiz beş temel söylemsel stratejiyi kapsamıştır: aday gösterme, yüklemleme, argümantasyon, perspektifleştirme ve yoğunlaştırma. Nitel bir araştırma tasarımı kullanılmış ve 10 konuşmadan oluşan bir örneklem esas alınmıştır. Bulgular, her iki liderin de konumlarını sağlamlaştırmak için iç ve dış gruplar inşa ederken, Putin'in kullandığı söylemin Batı ve Ukrayna'nın olumsuz tasvirleri yoluyla öz savunma ve ulusal kimliği vurguladığını ortaya koymuştur. Buna karşılık Zelenskiy'nin söylemi ulusal birlik, savunma ve uluslararası dayanışma çağrılarına odaklanmıştır. Bu çalışma, çatışmalar sırasında siyasi iletişimin daha derinlemesine anlaşılmasına katkıda bulunarak, dilin savaş sırasında kamuoyu algılarını şekillendirmede ve eylemleri meşrulaştırmada nasıl stratejik bir araç olarak hizmet ettiğini ortaya koymuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Söylemsel stratejiler
• Vladimir Putin
• Volodymyr Zelensky
• Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı
• siyasal iletişim.

Kaynakça

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