A Corpus-based Analysis of Diplomatic Directive Speech Acts

Abstract

Diplomatic speech acts, to some extent, constitute and shape the national image, maintain international relations, and promote world harmony. Under the framework of Speech Act Theory, based on a corpus, this study analyzes the types and linguistic powerfulness of directive speech acts in statements made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersons in the past five years with a view to exploring the motivations behind their diplomatic directive speech acts and the relationship between discourse and power behind the speech. The findings indicate that Chinese diplomatic spokespersons tend to choose speech acts that blur the power and authority of both sides of the discourse and indicate weak directives. With the understanding that the wording of Chinese diplomatic speeches is indicative of the ideology and value orientation in the context of Chinese society, the findings of this study enrich the analysis of diplomatic discourse and the diplomatic framework and throw light on the motivations behind the wording of countries’ diplomatic speeches.