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Title: The use of person deixis in political persuasion: From analysis to pedagogical application

 

Vol. 14(1), 2026, pp. 56-69.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46687/FFKJ8702

 

Author: Boryana Kostova

About the author: Boryana Kostova is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Foreign Language Teaching and Postgraduate Qualification, Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”, Varna, Bulgaria. She holds a PhD in English Studies from Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen, Bulgaria. Her academic and professional experience includes extensive teaching of English for Specific Purposes, curriculum and materials design, and language proficiency assessment and certification. Her research focuses on discursive legitimation, political and legal discourse, and the application of the discourse approach in ESP pedagogy. She has published in these areas, with particular emphasis on the intersection between discourse theory and language education.

E-mail: boryana.kostova@vfu.bg         

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6207-924X   

 

Link: http://silc.fhn-shu.com/issues/2026-1/SILC_2026_Vol_14_Issue_1_056-069_14.pdf

 

Citation (APA): Kostova, B. (2026). The use of person deixis in political persuasion: From analysis to pedagogical application. Studies in Linguistics, Culture, and FLT, 14(1), 56-69. https://doi.org/10.46687/FFKJ8702

 

Abstract: The paper investigates the persuasive function of person deixis, particularly first and third person pronouns in political discourse, with a dual focus on theoretical analysis and pedagogical application. Drawing on a corpus of U.S. presidential nomination speeches, the study categorizes deictic usage into three functional types: (1) first person singular pronouns for asserting leadership and personal credibility, (2) third person singular reference for institutional distancing or role enhancement, and (3) first person plural pronouns for inclusive alignment and epistemic legitimation. The analysis demonstrates how shifts in person deixis strategically construct speaker identity, enhance persuasive effect, and create solidarity or authority depending on context. Particular attention is paid to the rhetorical transition from “I” to “we”, which shifts the focus from individual action to group effort, encouraging a sense of shared responsibility. In addition to its analytical contribution, the study explores the integration of deictic awareness into ESP instruction at tertiary level. It proposes a task-based instructional framework aimed at raising learners’ pragmatic awareness, rhetorical sensitivity, and intercultural communicative competence. A three-phase teaching model (comprising awareness-raising, analytical, and productive activities) is outlined to support learners in identifying, interpreting, and using deixis effectively in persuasive discourse. The paper thus bridges linguistic theory and classroom practice, demonstrating how critical engagement with authentic political texts can enhance ESP learners’ communicative competence and critical thinking in real-world contexts.

Key words: person deixis, political persuasion, ESP, critical discourse pedagogy, political speeches

 

References:

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List of excerpted political speeches

Bush, G. W. (2000). Address Accepting the Presidential Nomination at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. In G. Peters & J. T. Woolley (Eds.), The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/211699.

Clinton, W. J. (1992). Address Accepting the Presidential Nomination at the Democratic National Convention in New York. In G. Peters & J. T. Woolley (Eds.), The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/220260.

Clinton, W. J. (1996). Remarks Accepting the Presidential Nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In G. Peters & J. T. Woolley (Eds.), The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/222870.

Dole, R. (1996). Address Accepting the Presidential Nomination at the Republican National Convention in San Diego. In G. Peters & J. T. Woolley (Eds.), The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/216679.

Ford, G. R. (1976). Remarks in Kansas City Upon Accepting the 1976 Republican Presidential Nomination. In G. Peters & J. T. Woolley (Eds.), The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/242431.

Kerry, J. F. (2004). Address Accepting the Presidential Nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. In G. Peters & J. T. Woolley (Eds.), The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/216704.

Trump, D. (2016). Address Accepting the Presidential Nomination at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. In G. Peters & J. T. Woolley (Eds.), The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/318521.