Emotive speech acts in wartime rhetoric: a comparative analysis of presidential speeches

Abstract

Emotive speech acts form the foundation of human communication, enabling individuals to effectively convey emotions, attitudes, and perspectives. During times of conflict, the strategic deployment of emotional language can significantly influence public opinion, strengthen national identity, and mobilize collective action. This study examines the war rhetoric of President Ilham Aliyev during the Second Karabakh War of 2020, analyzing the linguistic and extralinguistic mechanisms underpinning emotive speech acts. Through an analysis of pivotal speeches delivered at critical moments of the conflict, this research investigates how linguistic features—including tone, word choice, and sentence structure—shape emotional responses and reinforce national narratives. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative discourse analysis with quantitative frequency analysis to examine the prevalence and function of emotive language patterns. The results reveal that Aliyev's rhetoric is characterized by high-frequency commissive and expressive speech acts, which evoke strong emotional responses and foster national unity. It is also highlighted the role of cultural references and historical symbols in shaping the emotional impact of political rhetoric. By comparing Aliyev's speeches with those of other wartime leaders, we identify cross-cultural patterns and unique rhetorical strategies employed in conflict communication. It contributes to the growing body of research on political discourse by offering an understanding of how emotive speech acts function during periods of conflict. It also emphasizes the importance of considering cultural and cognitive factors when analyzing political rhetoric. The findings have implications for political communication, discourse analysis, and international relations, providing valuable insights for policymakers, linguists, and communication scholars.