Legitimisation and Proximisation Values in the Discourse of Historic Change

Abstract

Legitimisation and Proximisation Values in the Discourse of Historic Change This methodological-critical paper belongs to the field of pragmaticcognitive discourse analysis. It develops Cap's STA model of legitimisation (2005, 2006, 2008) and investigates various mechanisms legitimising the speaker's actions (or actions for which he bears responsibility) in political discourse of historic change. Proximisation as the salient feature of the model adds significantly to effectiveness of the speaker's continual attempt to convince the addressee of the rightness of political steps taken. It is a powerful and coercive tool "alerting the addressee [to] the proximity or imminence of phenomena which can be a ‘threat’ to the addressee" located in the deictic centre of a given event (Cap 2006:4) or a chain of events. The STA model accounts for the application of a three-dimensional pattern of the phenomenon in question, i.e. spatial, temporal, and axiological proximisation. However, the division does not exhaust the notion's potential, since properties of the dimensions mentioned enable us to classify them according to an extended taxonomic system in which they possess positive, negative, and neutral values (cf. Wieczorek 2008). Thus, the aim of this paper is to (a) analyse the interplay between a number of legitimisation strategies, (b) present the positive/negative/neutral classification of proximisation, and (c) comment on the nature of the interaction between and potency of the three dimensions and values. These can coexist within the body of one text, as well as within the body of one paragraph and their complementary character strengthens the overall goal of legitimisation providing various stimuli for the addressee to accept the speaker's stance, his decisions and actions, to comply with them, and to undertake actions intended by the speaker.