Transitivity, modality, and power relations: A critical discourse analysis of leadership styles in East Java's 2018 gubernatorial election debates, Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17509/cazjm514Keywords:
Critical discourse analysisAbstract
This study examined how grammatical features reflect leadership styles and power relations in regional political discourse. Political leadership in Indonesia is shaped by linguistic choices that influence voter perceptions. Despite the importance of discourse in electoral debates, the role of grammatical features in constructing leadership styles and power relations remains underexplored. Transcripts of a 180-minute gubernatorial debate was analyzed using Halliday’s SFL framework and Fairclough’s three-dimensional CDA model to examine transitivity and modality patterns in leadership discourse. It investigated how transitivity patterns and modal expressions construct political authority in regional debates, offering insights into leadership discourse in Indonesian elections. The results revealed that variations in transitivity and modality reflect distinct leadership strategies shaped by cultural expectations, influencing voter engagement across demographic segments. The findings highlight the role of cultural context in shaping voter perceptions of political authority. This study advances theoretical discussions in CDA and political discourse by revealing the significant relationship between grammar, power, and cultural values, while offering practical implications for political communication strategies in culturally diverse democratic settings.
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