Diplomatic language and translation. Case study: President Donald Trump’s rhetoric

2017

This thesis explores the importance of diplomatic language, persuasive rhetoric and translation in international diplomacy. The hypothesis here is that diplomatic language is changing and that this change affects both our understanding and use of language and linguistic devices. In order to exemplify this trend, a case study analyses President Donald Trump’s controversial rhetoric and its translatability. The thesis provides, first, a close reading of texts that illustrate the pervasive power of a politician’s style, rhetoric and persuasiveness. Second, it considers the translation challenges raised by President Trump’s novel communication style. Accordingly, examples of diplomats and heads of state and government increasingly using social media, demonstrate the emergence of a new linguistic style in international diplomacy.

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