Information Source as Persuasive Power in Political Interviews: the Case of Obama

Abstract

Typologists have discovered in their studies that evidentiality markers, that is, explicit expressions of information source such as verbs of perception and cognition, may convey multiple functions, like for example, assertiveness, in addition to the evidence they provide concerning the source of knowledge. Despite the fact that this kind of marking is not obligatory in English, the various sources are verbalized frequently. Two interviews with Obama differed in this respect as one of the interviews contained a large number of them, while the other exhibited very few instances. The qualitative analysis of the two interviews, based on aspects of memory and studies on evidentiality/epistemicity, yielded that their use to a great deal depends on the audience the interviews are addressed to and that even a powerful president may have to adjust his language to the topic by means of particular linguistic devices, expressions of information source, in order to be persuasive. The style of the interviewer also determines the choice of the wording by the president such that an aggressive style induces an appropriate counteraction. The expressions of information source used by Obama gave a rational, assertive, caring and affective image of him. Their use or non-use as well as the pragmatic functions could be explained meaningfully only at a meta-level comprising the whole political situation such as the phase of his presidency.